Published on: June 3, 2026, 05:27h.
Updated on: June 3, 2026, 05:27h.
- Investigation reveals 1,400 bone fragments discovered in Lake Taal.
- Authorities investigate the disappearance of 34 workers in the cockfighting sector.
- Fugitive gambling mogul linked to serious allegations of mass killings.
Philippine investigators have reported the discovery of 1,400 human bone fragments in a volcanic lake situated about 50 miles south of Manila.
Law enforcement is delving into the cases of at least 34 sabungeros—individuals intricately tied to the nation’s cockfighting scene—who vanished without a trace between 2021 and 2022.
The missing individuals disappeared from Manila and surrounding areas and were involved in e-sabong, where cockfights are broadcast online for betting purposes. Roles included gamefowl handlers, aides, helpers, and drivers.
Ang Evades Capture
Currently, police are pursuing gambling magnate Charlie “Atong” Ang, who operates the e-sabong company Lucky 8 Star Quest Inc. and is the primary suspect in these disappearances.
Ang’s former security chief, Julie “Dondon” Patogan, now in custody, has alleged that Ang ordered the killings of the sabungeros to deter match-fixing that was harming his business.
Patogan claims there were over 100 victims whose remains were deposited in Lake Taal, a vast volcanic lake located in the province of Batangas.
Identification Difficulties
In a recent press briefing, the director of the Philippine National Police Forensic Group, Pierre Paul Carpio, stated that forensic teams have been scouring the lake since July 2025, engaging in medical-legal examinations, anthropological analyses, radiographic imaging, dental assessments, and DNA testing on the remains.
However, Carpio noted that identifying the remains is proving difficult due to the lake’s acidic water affecting the condition of the bones. Moreover, water temperatures ranging between 84.2°F and 95°F further degrade DNA evidence.
Carpio indicated that police might seek assistance from international laboratories to ascertain whether the remains belong to the missing sabungeros.
Ang has been on the run since January, when Philippine courts issued several non-bailable warrants for his arrest on charges of kidnapping with homicide and serious illegal detention. His current location remains unknown.
Deep Cultural Roots
Cockfighting has been ingrained in Philippine culture for hundreds of years. These contests typically involve specially bred roosters pitted against each other in fights that often result in death, utilizing razor-sharp blades affixed to their legs.
The popularity of e-sabong soared during the COVID-19 pandemic as restrictions limited attendance at traditional venues.
The government initially sought to regulate and tax this industry. However, in 2022, then-President Rodrigo Duterte ordered a nationwide prohibition of e-sabong in response to the scandal that ensued following the disappearances.