Manila, July 8 -- The Philippine Navy (PN) is willing and ready to assist in the search for the missing "sabungeros" (cockfight aficionados) whose remains were reportedly thrown in Taal Lake, an official said Tuesday.

In a press briefing in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City, PN spokesperson Capt. John Percie Alcos said they have specially trained divers who could be deployed to help in the planned retrieval of the victims' remains.

"We are still waiting for the official request or for assistance from the Department of Justice," Alcos said.

He said the divers would come from the Naval Special Operations Command, the "elite unit of the PN."

"They can be dispatched anytime, anywhere, any place," Alcos said.

Asked how many divers the PN could ...