MANILA, (PNA) — The Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) on Thursday said that the pre-trial conference for the Cebu sea tragedy will be held on Oct. 11.
Marina spokesman Ricky Hora said the hearings on the August 16 mishap is being held at Cebu City on the request of Governor Hilario Davide III so that the parties involved can easily attend the trials.
Hora said the Marina created a special hearing body to determine possible violations in relation to franchise.
He said the parties will be submitting to the panel the list of witnesses and documents to be presented as evidence, among others.
The first hearing conducted by Marina was held on August 28.
M/V St. Thomas Aquinas 1 sank after it was hit by M/V Sulpicio Express Siete in Lawis Ledge, Talisay City, Cebu, killing at least 116, while 21 are still unaccounted for.
The Philippine Coast Guard officially called off the search operations for the missing passengers as of Sept. 15.