PNP extracts 3 DNA profiles from Laurel cemetery remains

The Philippine National Police (PNP) announced on Thursday that three DNA profiles were extracted from remains recovered at a public cemetery in Laurel, Batangas, as authorities continue the search for missing cockfighting enthusiasts.

Two of the profiles are for males and one is for a female; these will undergo further testing to cross-match against those of the 34 missing sabungero enthusiasts and other reported missing persons.

PNP spokesperson BGen. Jean Fajardo said no viable DNA could be extracted from bones recovered from Taal Lake due to prolonged submersion and contamination, making identification difficult in this area.

Since 2021, a total of 34 cockfighting enthusiasts have been reported missing, with some reports suggesting over 100 individuals were involved.

The police suspect that the disappearances are linked to match-fixing in cockfighting games.

Families with missing relatives are encouraged to coordinate with their nearest police station for DNA testing, which may help identify any potential matches among the recovered remains.