Authorities in the Philippines have zeroed in on Taal Lake—a volcanic crater lake—as the likely burial site for 34 men who vanished between 2021 and 2022 after allegedly cheating in online cockfighting. A key suspect now claims there may be more bodies buried there, and investigators are racing to dive for answers.
The Disappearances
Between April 2021 and January 2022, 34 cockfighting bettors—known locally as sabungeros—went missing across Luzon, including areas in Laguna, Manila, Batangas, and Bulacan. Many were last seen visiting the Manila Arena during e‑sabong (online cockfighting) events.
Revelations from a Suspect
In a televised interview, a suspect using the alias “Totoy” alleges that the men were strangled with wire, tied with sandbags, and dumped in Taal Lake. He also sensationally claimed that over 100 bodies may lie beneath the volcanic waters—including alleged drug lords.
Totoy says he’s prepared to cooperate with authorities and families, despite fearing for his life—he asserts he was not the killer, but was obliged to stay silent.
Underwater Search Begins
On June 19, Justice Secretary Crispin Remulla announced that divers would be deployed to Taal Lake to search for human remains, with the Philippine Navy preparing technical support from its Special Operations divers.
Five additional witnesses have come forward, and investigators hope the searches will confirm if the missing sabungeros—and potentially others—were disposed of in the volcanic lake.
E‑Sabong Ban and Public Outrage
The collapse of the e‑sabong industry, once a booming pandemic pastime, followed public backlash over the disappearances. Authorities have fully banned online cockfighting amid growing calls to hold organizers and security personnel accountable.
Families Demand Justice
Relatives of the missing sabungeros, having protested and held vigils since 2022, are cautiously hopeful that Taal Lake holds answers. They are pressing for a full and transparent investigation into both the killings and alleged cover-up.
Next Moves
With divers preparing to scour the depths of Taal Lake, officials are also calling for more witnesses to come forward. As the investigation intensifies, authorities aim to uncover definitive evidence—and potentially dozens more bodies—while delivering long‑overdue closure to grieving families.
The discovery of the cockpit voice recorder marks a pivotal milestone, offering hope that the intertwined hunt—for bodies in a volcanic lake and the truth behind the online cockfighting ring—will soon deliver justice.
