Investigation into Missing Cockfighting Gamblers Points to Volcanic Lake in the Philippines

Filipino authorities are investigating the mysterious disappearance of 34 cockfighting gamblers who were allegedly murdered and disposed of in Taal Lake. The rise of online cockfighting during the pandemic has drawn scrutiny and heightened the investigation into criminal practices associated with the industry.

Filipino law enforcement is currently delving into a chilling allegation that 34 individuals linked to the cockfighting scene went missing three years ago and were reportedly killed and disposed of in Taal Lake, situated around an active volcano. These men, said to be involved in fixing matches, vanished in and around Manila, igniting a criminal investigation that has recently intensified.

The case involves six individuals currently facing charges related to the disappearance, and one suspect revealed in a televised interview that the victims were allegedly strangled and discarded into the lake's depths. Cockfighting, a traditional and controversial practice in the Philippines, has evolved into a multi-million dollar industry, particularly during the Covid-19 pandemic when livestreamed events surged in popularity.

During the health crisis, physical matches were halted, pushing the cockfighting community to adapt, resulting in the emergence of "e-sabong" or online cockfighting. This enabled the industry to generate approximately 620 million pesos ($10.8 million) monthly in government licensing fees. According to a Senate investigation in 2022, online betting on these events reached astounding amounts, with daily wagers peaking at around 3 billion pesos ($52.4 million).

However, following the disappearance of these 34 individuals, the online cockfighting practice faced mounting scrutiny, prompting former president Rodrigo Duterte to impose a ban, while traditional cockfighting remains permissible.

In light of the revelations, Justice Secretary Crispin Remulla stated that authorities may resort to deploying divers to search for human remains in Taal Lake, emphasizing the imperative to seek the truth in such dire matters. He also mentioned ongoing efforts to uncover additional witnesses who might shed light on the case.

In the Philippines, gambling exists within a complicated legal landscape, despite opposition from religious leaders. While legal gambling is prevalent, a dark undercurrent remains, with connections to organized crime surfacing. Recent years have witnessed significant crackdowns on illicit online gambling operations, especially those linked to human trafficking and scams in relation to clients from mainland China. As the investigation unfolds, there are calls for a thorough examination of the entire cockfighting industry to understand its implications beyond mere entertainment.