Marilyn Cahatol

Article (news)

Dennis Datu

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/17511795198381751179516043.jpeg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Fisherfolk return to their normal activities at the Taal lake in Talisay, Batangas on Saturday, September 23, 2023, as the volcanic smog from Taal volcano clears due to the rains. <em>Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News/File </em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — The livelihood of fishermen who depend on Taal Lake has been affected following a witness’ statement that the bodies of the missing “sabungeros” were dumped in the lake.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/6/25/pcg-divers-prep-for-retrieval-of-missing-sabungeros-in-taal-lake-1438">PCG divers prep for retrieval of missing &#x27;sabungeros&#x27; in Taal Lake</a></div><p>According to Laurel Mayor Lyndon Bruce, whose town is one of the municipalities surrounding Taal Lake and where many residents rely on the lake for their livelihood, fish sales in the markets have significantly slowed down since news broke that the sabungeros were allegedly buried in the lake.</p><p>“Ang news lagi pinag-uusapan &#x27;yun mga sabungero daw na itinapon dito, syempre ang isip ng tao nagne-negative kaya nga siguro nag-aatubili silang bumili ng isda,” said Mayor Bruce.</p><p>(It is always on the news that the sabungeros&#x27; remains were dumped here. Of course, people will hesitate to buy fish)</p><p>Even fishermen from nearby towns are reportedly feeling the blow to their income as a result of the controversy, he said.</p><p>“Pero sabi ko kung may nangyari man eh 2020 pa naman &#x27;yun, 2021 pa,&quot; Mayor Bruce added.</p><p>(But as I said, if that even happened, that was back in 2020 or 2021)</p><p>Taal Lake is one of the country’s primary producers of tilapia and bangus, supplying Metro Manila and the CALABARZON region.</p><p>Mayor Bruce assured the public that the fish from Taal Lake are safe to eat.</p><p>The mayor also expressed support for the plans of the national government, particularly the proposed diving operations in Taal Lake to locate the bodies of the sabungeros said to have been dumped there.</p><p>Taal Lake, the third largest lake in the Philippines with a depth of 172 meters, is surrounded by the towns of Agoncillo, San Nicolas, Balete, Alitagtag, Cuenca, Mataasnakahoy, Lipa City, Tanauan City, Santa Teresita, Talisay, and Laurel.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/6/25/police-linked-to-missing-sabungero-case-pnp-vows-no-one-will-be-spared-2032">Police linked to missing sabungero case? PNP vows no one will be spared</a></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO:</strong></div><div style="text-align:center"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/RnjjAF8ClPs?si=wCcixYhi_dCKsSre" title="YouTube video player" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br/></div>

<p>The livelihood of fishermen who depend on Taal Lake has been affected following a witness’ statement that the bodies of the missing “sabungeros” were dumped in the lake.</p>

The livelihood of fishermen who depend on Taal Lake has been affected following a witness’ statement that the bodies of the missing “sabungeros” were dumped in the lake.

Fisherfolks' livelihood hit by claims missing sabungeros were buried in Taal Lake

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Fisherfolks' livelihood hit by claims missing sabungeros were buried in Taal Lake

Dennis Datu,

ABS-CBN News

Published June 29, 2025 04:20 PM PHT

Read More:

MISSING SABUNGEROS

DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

TAAL LAKE

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