Demand for fish from Taal dwindles as divers search for sabungeros remains
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Demand for fish from Taal dwindles as divers search for sabungeros remains
Members of the Philippine Coast Guard navigate the waters of Taal Lake in Talisay, Batangas, on Thursday, July 10, 2025, as the multi-agency search continues for the missing 'sabungeros.' Divers are focusing on areas identified as possible dumping sites, including a fishpond area dubbed 'ground zero,' based on witness testimonies. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News
Members of the Philippine Coast Guard navigate the waters of Taal Lake in Talisay, Batangas, on Thursday, July 10, 2025, as the multi-agency search continues for the missing 'sabungeros.' Divers are focusing on areas identified as possible dumping sites, including a fishpond area dubbed 'ground zero,' based on witness testimonies. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News BATANGAS — Low demand for fish has slowed livelihoods in Taal Lake, where authorities this week discovered remains believed to be those of the missing cockfighting enthusiasts or "sabungeros" killed and dumped there.
BATANGAS — Low demand for fish has slowed livelihoods in Taal Lake, where authorities this week discovered remains believed to be those of the missing cockfighting enthusiasts or "sabungeros" killed and dumped there.
Only two boats go out to harvest tilapia and milkfish each day now, from around 10 boats daily, Mayor Lyndon Bruce of Laurel, Batangas said.
Only two boats go out to harvest tilapia and milkfish each day now, from around 10 boats daily, Mayor Lyndon Bruce of Laurel, Batangas said.
This means that from an average daily harvest of 40 tons of fish, it has now dropped to only eight tons due to the lack of orders.
This means that from an average daily harvest of 40 tons of fish, it has now dropped to only eight tons due to the lack of orders.
"Hindi sila nakakapangisda dahil wala masyadong order na dinadala sa market sa Manila kasi 'yung nanggagaling na isda dito ay doon dinadala sa fishport ng Malabon at fishport ng all over Metro Manila," Bruce said.
"Hindi sila nakakapangisda dahil wala masyadong order na dinadala sa market sa Manila kasi 'yung nanggagaling na isda dito ay doon dinadala sa fishport ng Malabon at fishport ng all over Metro Manila," Bruce said.
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(They can’t go out to fish because there aren’t many orders being brought to the Manila market, since the fish caught here are already being delivered to the Malabon fish port and other fish ports across Metro Manila.)
(They can’t go out to fish because there aren’t many orders being brought to the Manila market, since the fish caught here are already being delivered to the Malabon fish port and other fish ports across Metro Manila.)
"Siguro ay dahil nakikita nga sa social media natin na naandito 'yung [mga] pinag-uusapang sabungero," the mayor added.
"Siguro ay dahil nakikita nga sa social media natin na naandito 'yung [mga] pinag-uusapang sabungero," the mayor added.
(Maybe it's because people saw on social media that the missing sabungeros everyone’s talking about are here.)
(Maybe it's because people saw on social media that the missing sabungeros everyone’s talking about are here.)
There are around 1,700 fishpens operators in Laurel alone who are now complaining about the effects of the ongoing retrieval operations for the suspected remains of the cockfight gamers.
There are around 1,700 fishpens operators in Laurel alone who are now complaining about the effects of the ongoing retrieval operations for the suspected remains of the cockfight gamers.
Tourism in Laurel has also reportedly taken a hit, with fewer tourists visiting the town since the news broke that the bodies were allegedly dumped in Taal Lake.
Tourism in Laurel has also reportedly taken a hit, with fewer tourists visiting the town since the news broke that the bodies were allegedly dumped in Taal Lake.
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Bruce expressed shock upon learning that the bodies of missing cockfight enthusiasts were dumped in a portion of Taal Lake.
Bruce expressed shock upon learning that the bodies of missing cockfight enthusiasts were dumped in a portion of Taal Lake.
He said he could hardly believe it, as Laurel has always been a quiet and peaceful town.
He said he could hardly believe it, as Laurel has always been a quiet and peaceful town.
He said they will work on improving the town’s security to prevent similar events from happening again.
He said they will work on improving the town’s security to prevent similar events from happening again.
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