5-YEAR-OLD GIRL AMONG 2 KILLED AS SUV CRASHES AT NAIA TERMINAL 1; 4 INJURED

A SPORTS utility vehicle (SUV) on Sunday rammed into the entrance of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1 departure area in Parañaque City leaving two dead, including a 5-year-old girl.

The other fatality was a 28-year-old overseas Filipino worker (OFW).

According to the Philippine National Police Aviation Security Group, the tragedy occurred at around 8 a.m. Sunday.

A 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 hitting passengers at the airport’s entrance.

Three of those injured, aged 55, 34 and 4, were brought to San Juan De Dios Hospital in Pasay City for treatment.

Department of Transportation (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.

He added that the driver will be subjected to mandatory drug testing.

Dizon appealed to the public to respect the victims’ families and avoid sharing photos or videos.

DRIVER’S LICENSE SUSPENDED FOR 90 DAYS

The Land Transportation Office suspended the driver’s license of the SUV driver for 90 days pending investigation.

Meanwhile, San Miguel Corporation committed to provide all the necessary assistance to the victims and their families.

Dizon thanked New NAIA Infra Corp. (NNIC) president Ramon S. Ang for shouldering the expenses of the victims and those injured.