In a heartbreaking incident that has shocked the public, a 4-year-old child who was tragically hit by an SUV at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1 has now been laid to rest, leaving behind a grieving family and a community demanding accountability.

The Incident: A Tragedy in Transit

According to initial reports, the child was with their family at NAIA Terminal 1 when a white SUV suddenly accelerated and struck the young victim. The exact circumstances surrounding how the accident occurred are still under investigation, but witnesses claim there was a lapse in the driver’s attention or awareness, especially in a zone where pedestrian traffic is high.

Emergency responders rushed the child to a nearby hospital, but tragically, the injuries sustained were too severe, and the child was pronounced dead shortly after arrival.

A Family Shattered

Photos and videos from the funeral show the child’s parents and relatives in deep mourning. The child, who was described by neighbors as “joyful, sweet, and full of life,” was the youngest in their family. The mother, unable to speak due to grief, clutched her child’s small coffin throughout the ceremony. The father, in between sobs, gave a short message during the burial:

“Hindi mo pa nga nararanasan ang mundo, kinuha ka na sa amin. Hindi ito dapat mangyari sa kahit sinong bata.”

Justice Demanded

As the child is laid to rest, outrage is growing online and in the community, with many calling for justice and demanding answers. Netizens are flooding social media with the hashtag #JusticeForNAIAChild, asking why safety measures near airport terminals are not stricter, and whether the driver involved will be held accountable.

The driver of the SUV has reportedly been identified, and authorities have stated that charges are being considered, depending on the outcome of the ongoing investigation.

Airport Authority Under Fire

The Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) has issued a brief statement expressing condolences and promising a thorough review of security and traffic enforcement protocols at the terminal. However, critics argue that this tragedy could have been avoided if better signage, speed control, and designated pedestrian lanes had been enforced.

A Wake-Up Call

This tragedy serves as a grim reminder of the need for greater vigilance in high-traffic public spaces, especially where children and families are present. For the bereaved family, however, no reform will bring back the child they lost too soon.

“All we want now,” said a family friend, “is justice. This should never happen again

4-year-old girl, 1 other killed in accident at NAIA Terminal 1
TWO people were confirmed dead, including a 4-year-old girl, in an accident that occurred at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1 this morning, May 4.

Apart from the child, a man was also reported to have died in the accident but it is not yet known whether he was an OFW or was just dropping off a relative at the airport.

Based on initial investigations, the vehicle reportedly hit the outer railing and entered the walkway near the terminal entrance of the airport.

The Philippine Red Cross confirmed the deaths of the two victims when a black SUV plowed into people in the departure area of ​​NAIA Terminal 1

The PRC’s Facebook post shows their response and assistance to the victims of the incident.
“At around 8:55 AM, a sports utility vehicle (SUV) crashed through the outer railing and walkway before slamming into the entrance of the Departure Area at NAIA Terminal 1 in Pasay City. The incident tragically resulted in the deaths of two individuals—a male adult and a 4-year-old girl,” the PRC’s FB post reads.

In an official statement by the New NAIA Infrastructure Corp. (NNIC), the driver of the SUV is now in the custody of the Philippine National Police (PNP) while the injured in the accident were rushed to the hospital.

Meanwhile, Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon also confirmed the death of the 4-year-old child in the accident who was said to be the child of an OFW.

“What happened is really sad. We sympathize especially with the OFW whose child died today. It hurts. I was talking to the father earlier. He was just taken away by his child, by his family,” said Dizon