The Land Transportation Office (LTO) has penalized the driver involved in the fatal crash at NAIA Terminal 1 with a ₱2,000 fine and a four-year revocation of his driver’s license after finding him guilty of reckless driving.
The administrative verdict comes more than a month after the May 4 incident, where a sport utility vehicle (SUV) barreled into the Departure West Curbside Area of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, killing two individuals and injuring several others.
LTO chief Assistant Secretary Atty. Vigor Mendoza II confirmed that the imposed sanctions are the maximum penalties allowable under current regulations. “Driving a motor vehicle that endangers the property or the safety or rights of a person is considered reckless driving,” the LTO stated in its five-page resolution.
Authorities from the Aviation Security Group said the driver, a 47-year-old man from Batangas, was taken into custody immediately after the crash. He tested negative for both alcohol and drug use, and was released on ₱100,000 bail on May 16 while facing separate criminal charges for reckless imprudence resulting in homicide, multiple injuries, and property damage.
The LTO noted that despite being issued a show cause order, the driver failed to respond or present a defense against the administrative charges filed against him.
Following the tragic incident, the New NAIA Infra Corp. (NNIC), which operates the airport, announced a comprehensive review of security bollards and ongoing efforts to redesign drop-off areas to prevent similar occurrences.
