A serious investigation is underway in the Philippines regarding the disappearance of 34 cockfighting fans, suspected of having been killed and disposed of in a volcanic lake.
Investigation Into Disappearance of 34 Cockfighters Links to Volcanic Lake
Investigation Into Disappearance of 34 Cockfighters Links to Volcanic Lake
Filipino authorities delve into the chilling case of missing cockfighting enthusiasts, with allegations of murder tied to Taal Lake.
Article Text: Filipino authorities are currently investigating alarming claims surrounding the disappearance of 34 cockfighting enthusiasts, who vanished three years ago under mysterious circumstances, with suggestions that they were killed and discarded in a volcanic lake. The victims—men accused of fixing cockfighting matches—went missing in the greater Manila area and its nearby provinces. Law enforcement recently charged six suspects with kidnapping, and in a televised interview, one suspect revealed that the missing men were allegedly strangled and their bodies dumped in Taal Lake, known for its dangerous volcano.
Cockfighting, a form of betting on roosters fighting to the death with bladed spurs tied to their feet, is a highly lucrative venture in the Philippines, generating substantial income during the pandemic through livestreamed fights. This shift to online platforms, termed "e-sabong," ballooned the industry's profitability, reportedly accumulating around 620 million pesos ($10.8 million) monthly in government license fees and generating up to 3 billion pesos ($52.4 million) daily in bets.
However, following the disappearance of the 34 men, these online gaming operations faced intensified scrutiny, culminating in former President Rodrigo Duterte banning e-sabong, despite traditional forms of cockfighting remaining permissible. On Thursday, Justice Secretary Crispin Remulla expressed the government's commitment to uncover the truth behind these troubling developments, announcing plans to deploy divers to search for possible human remains in the lake. "We can't just let it pass and just let it go. We have to be responsible enough to seek the truth especially in cases like this," he stated, emphasizing the need for further witness testimonies.
Gambling maintains a legal status in the predominantly Catholic nation, although it faces opposition from church leaders. Indeed, recent investigations have linked some online gambling operations with criminal activities. In reaction, President Ferdinand Marcos has outlawed Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations (Pogos), originating from detailed inquiries into illicit activities connected to online casinos catering primarily to mainland Chinese clients.
Cockfighting, a form of betting on roosters fighting to the death with bladed spurs tied to their feet, is a highly lucrative venture in the Philippines, generating substantial income during the pandemic through livestreamed fights. This shift to online platforms, termed "e-sabong," ballooned the industry's profitability, reportedly accumulating around 620 million pesos ($10.8 million) monthly in government license fees and generating up to 3 billion pesos ($52.4 million) daily in bets.
However, following the disappearance of the 34 men, these online gaming operations faced intensified scrutiny, culminating in former President Rodrigo Duterte banning e-sabong, despite traditional forms of cockfighting remaining permissible. On Thursday, Justice Secretary Crispin Remulla expressed the government's commitment to uncover the truth behind these troubling developments, announcing plans to deploy divers to search for possible human remains in the lake. "We can't just let it pass and just let it go. We have to be responsible enough to seek the truth especially in cases like this," he stated, emphasizing the need for further witness testimonies.
Gambling maintains a legal status in the predominantly Catholic nation, although it faces opposition from church leaders. Indeed, recent investigations have linked some online gambling operations with criminal activities. In reaction, President Ferdinand Marcos has outlawed Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations (Pogos), originating from detailed inquiries into illicit activities connected to online casinos catering primarily to mainland Chinese clients.
