Philippines Seeks Japan Assistance Searching Taal Lake for Missing Cockfighters

The Philippines has sought technical assistance from Japan to aid in the search for dozens of missing cockfighting participants allegedly killed by rogue police and dumped in Taal Lake, a deep lake located south of Manila. The case, linked to the country's large cockfighting industry, gained renewed attention after witness Julie “Dondon” Patidongan, a recent mayoral candidate, claimed knowledge of where bodies were submerged. Justice Secretary Crispin Remulla confirmed that multiple witnesses have come forward to testify about the locations in the lake where the victims were thrown and disclosed that 15 unnamed national police officers are under investigation for carrying out the executions. The government is employing a scientific approach, including lakebed mapping and advanced technology, to locate human remains amid concerns that over 100 missing individuals could be buried in the lake. Businessman Charlie “Atong” Ang, alleged by Patidongan to be the mastermind, has denied the accusations and filed a lawsuit against the witness for slander and conspiracy. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has pledged that no one, regardless of power or influence, will be spared in the pursuit of justice for this case.