A composite image shows the entrance of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 1’s departure area, where a sport utility vehicle crashed through barriers and hit several people, leaving two dead and four others injured, on Sunday, May 4, 2025. — Screengrab from Jan Paolo Ricardo Banday/Facebook
MANILA, Philippines — A sport utility vehicle rammed into several people at the departure entrance of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1 on Sunday morning, leaving two dead and four injured.
Pasay Police Substation 8 told INQUIRER.net that the incident happened around 8:50 a.m.
In a Facebook post, the Philippine Red Cross said the fatalities were an adult male and a four-year-old girl.
It also said five ambulances — two from NHQ Tower and one each from the Port Area, Pasay, and Manila — were mobilized, and 18 volunteers were deployed on the scene.
A rescue vehicle with four responders was also deployed for potential extrication operations.
Meanwhile, in a statement, the New NAIA Infra Corp. (NNIC) said the driver involved is now in the custody of the Philippine National Police.
“The area has since been secured, and access is now limited to authorized personnel from NNIC, the Philippine National Police, and MIAA Security, who are currently conducting a full investigation,” it also said.
“At this time, we are awaiting official confirmation on the cause of the incident and reports of injuries. We are closely coordinating with all concerned agencies to gather accurate information,” it added.
Driver’s license suspended
The Land Transportation Office (LTO) said it has preventively suspended the driver’s license of the motorist involved in the incident. It will last for 90 days while the investigation is ongoing.
The LTO also said it has also issued a show cause order against the registered owner and the driver.
Citing an initial report, the LTO said the driver was about to leave the departure area after sending off a passenger when a sedan suddenly passed in front of him.
This caused him to panic, and instead of hitting the brakes, he stepped on the gas pedal.
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Assistance to the victims
Meanwhile, the NNIC said its president, Ramon S. Ang, has committed to personally shoulder the medical expenses of those injured and provide financial assistance to the families of the two who died.
“This is a very tragic incident. Our priority now is to make sure the victims and their families receive the support and care they need,” Ang said, as quoted in a statement from the NNIC.
