The devastating accident at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) on Sunday has left an Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) and his family in deep sorrow.
One of the fatalities was four-year-old Malia, who had just bid farewell to her father, Mark Masongsong, as he was about to depart for another overseas work assignment, according to the Pasay City Police.
Pasay City Police investigator Pat Leo Montoya stated that Malia and her family were preparing to leave the airport and return home to Marawi, Lipa City, Batangas when the tragedy occurred.
Malia lost her life in the accident, leaving her father in shock.
Video footage circulating on social media shows Mark shouting, “Anak ko ‘yan! Anak ko ‘yan!” while being consoled by airport security personnel.
“Anak ko ‘yun, nasa ilalim!” he cried as rescue teams struggled to retrieve his daughter, who was pinned under the black Ford Everest that crashed into the crowd gathered at the entrance of the airport’s departure area.
Malia’s mother, Cynthia Masongsong, 31, sustained critical injuries and was initially rushed to San Juan de Dios Hospital before being transferred to St. Luke’s Hospital for further treatment.
Mark’s mother, 61-year-old Editha Soriano, and his 7-year-old niece, Safiya Masongsong, were also injured.
Randy Balog, a relative, said Mark spent three weeks with his family, the longest break he has ever had as a seafarer.
“’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,” Balog said.
The other fatality was 28-year-old Dearick Keo Faustino, who died at the scene.
An initial investigation by the Pasay City Police revealed that the suspect, 47-year-old Leo Gonzales, was driving the black Ford Everest with plate number DVB-3411.
After dropping off a passenger, he was preparing to exit the parking premises at the NAIA departure area when the accident occurred.
Pasay City Police Chief Col. Joselito De Sesto reported that Gonzales claimed his vehicle experienced unintended acceleration, causing him to panic.
In his distress, he allegedly stepped on the accelerator instead of the brake, resulting in the vehicle striking the victims near the entrance of the departure area.
Gonzales was initially placed in police custody before being transferred to the PNP Aviation Security Group, which will handle the case and formally file charges against him.
