Manila, July 8 -- The Department of Justice (DOJ) said Tuesday it is organizing an inter-agency operation to fast-track efforts to search the bed of Taal Lake for the remains of the missing "sabungeros" (cockfight afficionados).

"Meron tayong hinihintay na ibang detalye lang para matuloy na natin yung (We are awaiting a few more details before we can start the) exploratory dive. We have to map out everything. We have to make a schedule, and we're still waiting for some equipment that I think will be lent to us by the Japanese government," Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said in an interview with reporters.

"We will also be in conference with the DENR (Department of Environment and Natural Resources) because the Mines and Geoscie...