MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine Red Cross has confirmed the death of a 5-year-old girl after being hit by a black SUV at the departure area of Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1 on Sunday, May 4, 2025.
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| Father grieves after child caught in NAIA SUV crash. Screenshot from DZRH News video |
A man was also reported dead in the same incident, although authorities have yet to determine whether he was an Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) or a family member merely accompanying someone to the airport.
READ: 2 dead in NAIA Terminal 1 departure area car accident
In a Facebook post, the Philippine Red Cross shared details of their emergency response to the accident, also confirming in the comment section the deaths of the two individuals.
According to a statement released by New NAIA Infrastructure Corp. (NNIC), the SUV driver is now in the custody of the Philippine National Police (PNP), while several others injured in the incident have been rushed to the hospital.
Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Vince Dizon confirmed that the father of the five-year-old girl who died after being struck by an SUV at the departure area of NAIA Terminal is an Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) that is about to leave the country.
According to Dizon, the victims were merely at the airport to send off their father, who was about to leave for work abroad, when the accident occurred.
"Unang-una, nakakalungkot talaga yung nangyari ngayon. Lalong-lalo na sa OFW na namatayan ng anak n'ya ngayon. Masakit, masakit. Kausap ko yung father kanina. OFW siya, ihahatid lang siya ng pamilya n'ya, tapos ito yung nangyari," the DOTr Secretary said.
“Anak ko 'yan! Anak ko 'yan!” Mark Masongsong cried again and again, his voice breaking as police and security guards struggled to calm him at the airport.
"ANAK KO 'YAN!"
— DZRH NEWS (@dzrhnews) May 4, 2025
Dama ang pighati sa ama na ito matapos madamay ang kanyang anak nang sumalpok ang isang SUV sa bahagi ng NAIA Terminal 1 ngayong Linggo ng umaga. | via Val Gonzales, DZRH News pic.twitter.com/CCokdsa8Iz
Just minutes before the tragedy, Mark embraced his only daughter tightly, kissed her, and said goodbye before heading into the airport’s departure area to return overseas for work.
When Mark got the call from a relative, he immediately rushed out of the airport’s departure area—only for his world to shatter upon seeing his daughter’s lifeless body.
Randy Balog, a relative of the victims, shared that Mark’s three-week visit was the longest time he had ever spent with his daughter.
“'Yung bata ngayon pa lamang nakasama ng tatay. Bago siya sumakay maliit pa yung bata, wala pang malay, eh ngayon nangyari sa hindi inaasahan pangyayari ay talagang napakahirap tanggapin,” said Balog.
Cynthia, the mother of the deceased child, is still in critical condition. She was transferred from San Juan De Dios Hospital to St. Luke’s Medical Center.
Mark’s 61-year-old mother, Editha, and his seven-year-old niece were also injured.
After dropping Mark off at the airport, the victims were waiting for their ride back home to Lipa City, Batangas when they were suddenly struck by an SUV. The vehicle was driven by Leo Gonzales, a resident of Brgy. Tayuman in Lobo, Batangas, who had also just dropped off a passenger at the airport.
According to reports, the driver allegedly stepped on the accelerator instead of the brakes, leading to the fatal incident. The driver is now in police custody as authorities continue their investigation.
— Noel Ed Richards, The Summit Express
