Over three years after 34 cockfighting enthusiasts mysteriously vanished in the Philippines, authorities are investigating disturbing claims that they were killed and dumped in a volcanic lake. The investigation has sparked renewed scrutiny of the controversial livestock betting industry, which saw an explosion in online activity during the pandemic.
Investigation into Disappearance of Cockfighting Enthusiasts Points to Volcanic Lake
Investigation into Disappearance of Cockfighting Enthusiasts Points to Volcanic Lake
Filipino authorities probe claims that 34 missing cockfighting gamblers were murdered and disposed of in Taal Lake, highlighting the dark side of the lucrative industry.
Filipino authorities are delving into a chilling claim that dozens of cockfighting enthusiasts who went missing three years ago may have been murdered and submerged in Taal Lake, a body of water that encircles an active volcano. At least 34 men disappeared under mysterious circumstances in and around the capital, Manila, and were believed to have been linked to fixing cockfighting matches.
Following a police investigation, six individuals were arrested and faced charges related to kidnapping. Recently, one suspect recounted in a television interview that the men were allegedly strangled and disposed of within the depths of Taal Lake. The cockfighting industry, which operates on significant wagers placed on rooster fights using bladed spurs, has become a multi-billion dollar endeavor in the Philippines.
The surge in this form of gambling was particularly notable during the Covid pandemic when traditional in-person matches were halted, leading to a rise in popularity for livestreamed cockfights, referred to locally as "e-sabong." This shift reportedly generated revenue of approximately 620 million pesos (around $10.8 million) monthly, thereby attracting additional scrutiny and regulatory oversight.
However, following the disappearance of the 34 gamblers, the online fights faced increased pressure, culminating in a ban imposed by then-president Rodrigo Duterte on e-sabong operations, though traditional cockfighting remains permitted.
Justice Secretary Crispin Remulla addressed the ongoing investigation, stating that authorities are considering deploying divers into Taal Lake to search for potential human remains. He emphasized the importance of pursuing the truth in such grave matters and called for additional witnesses to come forward.
In the predominantly Catholic Philippines, where gambling has long since been an accepted activity, church officials have opposed the practice in all its forms. Nonetheless, the online gambling sector has been marred by connections to criminal enterprises. Recent discoveries by Filipino authorities unveiled extensive human trafficking networks and scam operations masquerading as online gambling services aimed at Chinese clientele. This prompted President Ferdinand Marcos to outlaw Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations (Pogos), further complicating the country’s gambling landscape.
