Livelihoods and tourism in Laurel town, Batangas have been heavily affected by the ongoing investigation into the disappearance of some 34 cockfight enthusiasts, or sabungeros, amid reports their bodies may have been dumped in Taal Lake, Mayor Lyndon M. Bruce said Saturday.

“First of all, of course, the livelihoods of our fellow Filipinos are affected because of the operations,” Bruce said in Filipino, referring to the full-scale diving and recovery efforts being conducted by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and other national agencies.

The mayor said that while the local government continues to coordinate closely with the national authorities, the case has impacted the fish trade and tourism in the lakeside town.

“The marketing of our fish, as well as tourism, is already affected because fewer people are visiting. Orders for fish delivered to Manila and Davao are also declining,” he said.

Before the case drew national attention, fishpen operators in Laurel supplied large volumes of fish to various markets daily. Bruce noted that ongoing media reports and speculation surrounding the alleged dumping of human remains in fishpens have alarmed suppliers and consumers.

“As of now, our deliveries to fish ports in Metro Manila and Davao are being affected because of this issue,” Bruce said, adding that tourists are staying away from the town.

Despite this, Bruce said the municipal government is doing its part to support the national government operations.

“We are assisting by providing boats and other equipment needed for the diving operations,” he said, adding that local fishermen have been assisting the PCG since the search began in earnest last week.