Philippines: dismissal for a shipwreck that killed nearly 800 people in 2008

Divers in an inflatable boat monitor the Princess of the Stars ferry on June 30, 2008. AFP - JAY DIRECTO

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The court in charge of the case of the sinking of the Princess of the Stars ferry, which had caused the death of nearly 800 people off the Philippines, has dismissed the head of the company.

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This is a dismissal that was granted to Edgar Go, the vice president time and responsible for the management of seizures in Sulpicio Lines, the ferry operator who was charged with " 

" according the victim's lawyer, who appealed.

The request for non-suit was made by the accused, pleading an absence of evidence.

" 

 " for the tragedy, lamented to AFP lawyer Persida Acosta, head of the public body responsible for defending the indigent before the Philippine courts, which represents the families of the victims. .

" 

" she added, announcing that she would also appeal on Monday.

The facts date back to 2008. Around 800 people died

after it struck a reef near the island of Sibuyan in the central Philippines during a typhoon. Only about fifty passengers and crew survived. The representative of the shipping company was criticized for having authorized the vessel to go to sea despite warnings from the meteorological services.

Accidents at sea are frequent in the Philippine archipelago due to frequent storms, poorly maintained boats and poor enforcement of safety regulations.

In 1987, the Dona Paz sank after colliding with a fuel ship, killing more than 4,341 people in the world's worst peacetime maritime disaster.

And in 2013, the 

struck a cargo ship while entering the port of Cebu, also leaving more than 100 victims and around 30 missing.

(and with

AFP)

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