By Christopher Lloyd Caliwan | Philippine News Agency
Two people, including a 5-year-old girl, died after a sports utility vehicle (SUV) rammed into the entrance of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1’s departure area in Parañaque City on Sunday, May 4.
The Philippine National Police Aviation Security Group (PNP Avsegroup) said the incident took place at around 8 a.m., when the black Ford Everest was about to leave the departure area after dropping off a passenger.
The driver said when he started his vehicle, a sedan suddenly passed in front, “causing him to forget to transfer his foot to the brake pedal, which resulted in his vehicle striking passengers at the entrance”, the report added.
The other fatality was a 28-year-old male. Three of those injured, aged 55, 34 and 4, were brought to San Juan De Dios Hospital in Pasay City.
The Department of Transportation (DOTr) said the initial review of the CCTV footage “indicates that there was no premeditated plan to inflict harm on NAIA passengers.”
DOTr Secretary Vince Dizon said emergency teams responded to the incident swiftly, which helped secure the area and ensure the safety of other passengers.
“This was not intentional. We saw on the video footage that he was with a departing passenger before this incident. But we will leave the PNP to do its job. The PNP will investigate,” Dizon said in a media interview at the NAIA.
“The driver will be subjected to mandatory drug testing, and we will also have to look at other angles of the CCTV footage. So, let’s wait for that,” he added.
The Land Transportation Office suspended the driver’s license for 90 days pending investigation. Meanwhile, San Miguel Corporation committed to provide all the necessary assistance to the victims and their families.
Dizon appealed to the public to respect the victims’ families and avoid sharing photos or videos.
“Let us not use this accident to get views on social media,” he added.
He thanked New NAIA Infra Corp. (NNIC) president Ramon Ang for shouldering the expenses of the victims and those injured. NNIC, the private operator of NAIA, said it is working closely with authorities in the investigation. (PNA)
