Investigation Intensifies into Disappearance of 34 Cockfighting Enthusiasts Linked to Volcanic Lake

Six suspects have been charged after accusations arose that a group of 34 men involved in cockfighting disappeared under suspicious circumstances, allegedly at the hands of those they wronged in the gambling world.

Filipino authorities have reinitiated an investigation surrounding the mysterious disappearance of 34 cockfighting enthusiasts, feared murdered and disposed of in a volcanic lake. The missing individuals vanished from Manila and its neighboring provinces three years ago, amid allegations of match-fixing in the lucrative cockfighting industry. Following these claims, six suspects were charged with kidnapping, and recently, one suspect revealed on television that the men were reportedly strangled and dumped into Taal Lake, known for encircling an active volcano.

Cockfighting, a traditional blood-sport in the Philippines, has transformed into a multi-billion peso industry, especially during the Covid pandemic when in-person matches were prohibited. This led to a surge in "e-sabong," or livestreamed fights, generating nearly 620 million pesos monthly in license fees for the government. However, following the disappearance of the gamblers, these online events faced increasing scrutiny, culminating in a ban from former President Rodrigo Duterte. Traditional forms of cockfighting, however, remain legal.

Justice Secretary Crispin Remulla emphasized the necessity of exploring the recent allegations, stating that they may deploy divers to scour the depths of the lake for potential human remains. Authorities are also investigating the possibility of gathering more witnesses to assist in this significant case.

Despite the predominantly Catholic population's opposition to gambling, it is legally sanctioned in the Philippines, although recent illicit operations have emerged linked to online gambling platforms. Last year, government agencies unraveled major scam operations and human trafficking networks posing as online casinos assisting clients from mainland China, which subsequently led to President Ferdinand Marcos restricting Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations.