Authorities believe the SUV crash at NAIA Terminal 1 on Sunday morning, which claimed two lives and injured three others, was not a deliberate act.
Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon, who visited the crash site shortly after the incident, said early information suggests the driver had no intent to cause harm. “Mukhang hindi intentional… may hinatid talaga siyang pasahero,” he noted, referring to CCTV footage showing the driver dropping someone off moments before the crash.
The fatal collision killed a 5-year-old girl and a 28-year-old man. The Department of Transportation also stated that its initial review of surveillance footage found no signs of premeditation, but emphasized that the investigation remains ongoing in partnership with law enforcement and airport authorities.
The driver claimed the accident occurred when he lost control of the vehicle after a sedan passed in front of him. He allegedly failed to move his foot from the accelerator to the brake, causing the SUV to surge forward into the terminal’s departure entrance.
The Land Transportation Office has suspended the driver’s license for 90 days pending the results of a full investigation. A mandatory drug test has also been ordered.
Despite the tragic outcome, normal operations at the terminal resumed by early afternoon. Authorities have since cleared the area and restored the safety barriers.
Transportation officials are calling on the public to show compassion, especially as videos of the incident continue to circulate online. Dizon appealed, “Please respect the victims. This is not the time for sensationalism.”
Meanwhile, New NAIA Infrastructure Corp. president Ramon Ang pledged to provide financial assistance to the families of the deceased and cover medical costs for the injured.
