Fifteen police officers detained for involvement in cockfighting killings

In the Philippines, 15 police officers have been detained as part of an investigation into the abductions and presumed murders of at least 34 individuals connected to cockfighting. The victims, many of whom disappeared between 2021 and 2022, were reported missing while traveling to or from cockfighting venues in Luzon, including the metropolitan Manila area. The disappearances sparked renewed public interest following a key witness coming forward, who accused a gambling tycoon of orchestrating the killings, with allegations that the victims' bodies were disposed of in Taal Lake or burned elsewhere. National police chief General Nicolas Torre III announced the arrest and investigation during a news conference, where he highlighted the shocking nature of the witness's revelations. The key witness, who used the alias 'Totoy', reported being threatened by his former employer, prompting him to speak out in the hope of helping the families of the victims find justice. The police have corroborated the witness's details, which will form the basis of criminal complaints by the Department of Justice against the implicated officers and the businessman accused of being the mastermind behind the killings. According to Torre, the cockfighters were accused of cheating and were subsequently strangled and mutilated before being disposed of. The allegations of such brutality have caught the attention of the public, underscoring the grim reality surrounding cockfighting, which, despite being banned in many countries due to animal cruelty concerns, remains a prevalent and regulated gambling activity in the Philippines. Historically, cockfighting has been deeply ingrained in Filipino culture, spawning large crowds and significant local revenues. In response to the ongoing investigation, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla indicated plans to seek assistance from Japan in utilizing technology to locate the remains of the victims, which could still be found in Taal Lake despite the passage of time since their disappearance. The influence of gambling tycoons in the cockfighting community has led to concerns about corruption and the intersection of law enforcement with illicit activities, prompting public calls for accountability and a thorough investigation into the matter.