The Philippine Navy (PN) is waiting for a request from the Department of Justice (DOJ) to help in the retrieval of the remains of missing “sabungeros” (cockfighters), which were allegedly submerged in Taal Lake, Batangas.

Navy spokesperson Captain John Percie Alcos said the PN has yet to receive an official communication from the DOJ regarding the potential search and retrieval operation in Taal Lake.

“Most likely, once we receive notice or a request from other government agencies in this particular case, we will refer this to the Navy Special Operations Command (NAVSOCOM) because our technical divers are there,” he said.

He said the PN is ready to assist the DOJ and other government agencies in solving the high-profile disappearance of the 34 cockfighters.

The NAVSOCOM is composed of highly trained technical divers known for conducting complex underwater missions. They specialize in sea, air, and land operations since 1956, and have been instrumental in numerous high-stakes missions ranging from counter-terrorism operations, reconnaissance, close combat, demolition, intelligence, and undersea operations.

The highly specialized unit’s members are called “frogmen” because of their ability to operate in water in adverse conditions at inconvenient times. Since then, the unit has evolved into what is now known as the elite Navy SEALs.

Last week, an accused had revealed that the remains of the missing cockfighters were buried in Taal Lake. He claimed that the cockfighters were strangled to death using a tie wire before being buried.

The accused did not identify the brains behind the killings, but noted that up to 100 cockfighters may have been killed, not just 34 per data from the Philippine National Police (PNP). He said he will submit an affidavit to the authorities to bare all information that he knows regarding the case.

After the accused’s revelation, DOJ Secretary Jesus Remulla raised the possibility that technical divers from the Coast Guard and Navy might be needed to verify the claims.

PCG Commandant, Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan has instructed the Coast Guard Special Operations Force (CGSOF) to coordinate with the DOJ, National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), and the Navy for the “immediate and strategic deployment of technical divers” in Taal Lake.

The cockfighters went missing between April 2021 to January 2022 in various cockfighting arenas and the victims’ homes in Laguna, Batangas, Manila, and Bulacan. Their disappearances were tied to alleged game-fixing in e-sabong or online cockfighting.