DNA Test on Skull of Missing Cockfighter: A Harrowing Test for Justice

More than two years have passed since news first broke about the mysterious and successive disappearances of cockfighters (sabungero) across different parts of Luzon. Most of them were last seen in cockpits — some in online sabong arenas, while others simply vanished without a trace.

No bodies, no witnesses, no clear answers. All their families had were prayers and the agony of waiting.

But a shocking discovery has awakened new hope — and fear — among the public. Bones and skulls believed to belong to some of the missing cockfighters were found. Some were recovered from Taal Lake in Batangas, while others were discovered in remote and forested areas of Pampanga, Bulacan, and Laguna.

The remains were immediately subjected to a thorough investigation by experts from the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and the PNP Forensic Unit. At the center of the investigation was DNA testing. Forensic experts extracted DNA samples from bones, skulls, and teeth and compared them to DNA provided by relatives of the missing men who volunteered their saliva, hair, or blood for the testing.

According to reports, two to three skulls matched the DNA of the missing cockfighters. One of the confirmed matches belonged to a victim involved in a case the NBI had filed against an armed group believed to be behind the abductions.

Another skull reportedly matched a cockfighter who was last seen inside a cockpit in Santa Cruz, Laguna, before being abducted by masked men in an SUV. Forensic reports revealed signs of violent death — skull fractures, a broken jaw, and cuts on bones that were likely caused by sharp objects.

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These findings confirm that their deaths were unnatural, and they may have been tortured before being killed.

It was heartbreaking for families to accept that only bones remained. But for them, it was still a step closer to justice. “At least it’s better than endless uncertainty,” said Aling Maria, the mother of one of the missing cockfighters whose skull was identified. “We just want to give our son a proper burial and find out who did this.”

Other families are still waiting for results, hoping their loved ones are not among the remains. At the same time, they are calling on the government to continue the investigation and expose the masterminds behind the crimes — even if some of the names involved include high-ranking officials and prominent personalities.

Some reports suggest that influential individuals in the cockfighting industry may be involved — including wealthy businessmen with ties to cockpits and former government officials who had control over online sabong operations.

One prime suspect is said to be known for holding franchises of online sabong and has been summoned several times to Senate hearings on the matter.

Currently, some suspects have been charged, but more than ten skulls and bone fragments remain unidentified, and examinations are ongoing. Authorities say they lack DNA samples from families, so they are appealing to the public — especially those with missing relatives in cockfighting — to come forward and provide DNA for cross-matching.

For now, the calls for transparency and accountability continue. The families seek not only the full truth, but also justice and punishment for those behind the series of abductions and murders.

Because in the end, this isn’t just a quest for justice — it’s about restoring the dignity of lives that were suddenly erased.