Police in Manila, Philippines have detained 15 officers for their suspected involvement in the disappearance and presumed murder of 34 individuals linked to cockfighting, according to the Philippine police chief on Monday. The missing individuals were allegedly involved in cheating within the popular sport, and their bodies were believed to have been disposed of in a picturesque lake near an active volcano.
The victims vanished between 2021 and 2022, primarily while traveling to or from cockfighting venues in Luzon, including the Manila capital region. The case resurfaced when a key witness came forward, implicating a gambling mogul in orchestrating the killings, with bodies reportedly discarded in Taal Lake or incinerated elsewhere.
Gen. Nicolas Torre III disclosed in a press briefing that the witness, using the name “Totoy,” provided crucial information. The victims, who were enthusiasts and workers in the cockfighting industry, were reportedly strangled and disfigured before being disposed of. Torre expressed shock at the witness’s revelations, emphasizing the need to resolve the heinous crimes.
Authorities are expected to file criminal charges against the wealthy businessman accused of involvement and other suspects, as stated by Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla. The businessman has refuted the accusations. Remulla plans to seek assistance from Japan to utilize technology in locating the victims’ remains at the lake bottom, even years after the incidents.
Cockfighting, a prevalent pastime and betting activity in Southeast Asia and other regions, has faced opposition in some countries due to animal welfare concerns. In the Philippines, the sport is deeply ingrained in the culture and economy, with arenas attracting enthusiasts and contributing to state revenues and employment.
The missing individuals were allegedly targeted for cheating in cockfighting matches by manipulating the outcome in favor of one rooster. This scandalous scheme involved betting on the opposing rooster after weakening or harming the other, leading to their disappearance.
