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Survivors and relatives of victims of the MV Princess of the Stars tragedy were dismayed over the absence of Sulpicio Lines officers at the Department of Justice Thursday.

 

Lawyer Persida Acosta, Public Attorney's Office (PAO) chief, said this was the first hearing she has attended in her 20 years as public attorney that the respondents were not required to appear. 

 

Over 50 families have filed complaints, and the PAO is expecting more to follow. 

 

Sonia Manzarilla, wife of Senior Police Officer 1 Jose Manzarilla, who was one of the tragedy's fatalities, said she just wants justice for her husband to and find out what really happened. 

 

One survivor said the ship was already tilted and sinking, but the crew still did not extend assistance.

 

State Prosecutor Grace Victoria Ruiz said Sulpicio has not been called yet because this is just the preliminary proceeding and not yet the start of the investigation. They first want to check if the complainants and the list of passengers match. 

 

The complainants just submitted their affidavits.

 

The Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption earlier filed a complaint of reckless imprudence resulting to multiple homicide, multiple serious physical injuries and damage to properties against Sulpicio Lines executives, including the capsized passenger ferry’s Captain Florencio Marimon Sr. 

as of 09/25/2008 7:11 PM

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