The Philippines is turning to Japan in the search for at least 34 men within the country's large cockfighting sphere, locally called "sabong". The men disappeared without a trace in 2022, in what has been described as a wave of mysterious disappearances.
The case got a new spark when a witness recently came forward on Philippine TV. The witness stated that the men were strangled to death and that the bodies were then sunk in Lake Taal, a freshwater lake surrounding an active volcano.
Police officers under investigation
Minister of Justice Jesus Crispin Remulla now states that several people have testified to where in the lake the bodies were thrown.
15 police officers – who are said to have acted outside the law – are being investigated for the disappearances.
They carried out the executions, says Remulla.
According to the witness who appeared on TV, it may be as many as 100 victims. According to reports, they were murdered after allegations of match-fixing.
Giant industry
The hope is that the Japanese government will now be able to provide technical assistance, including mapping of the lake bed. In some areas, Lake Taal, located about two hours south of the capital Manila, is over 170 meters deep.
The Philippines' cockfighting is a giant industry. Every week, Filipinos bet millions on matches between cocks that fight to the death – with razor-sharp metal spurs attached to their legs. During the covid pandemic, "e-sabong" – live-streamed matches – became popular, making the industry even more lucrative.
The disappearances in 2022, however, put cockfighting under scrutiny. The digital variant was banned by then-President Rodrigo Duterte, but has continued due to lax supervision.
