Following the confirmation of the number of fatalities from the vehicular accident at the NAIA Terminal 1 earlier today, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Vince Dizon stated the incident was not intentional.
In an interview with reporters, the DOTr secretary confirmed that the driver is now under the custody of the Philippine National Police (PNP). Meanwhile, the three injured individuals have already been taken to the hospital.
“Ipagdasal natin na okay sila, pero ang initial report I think okay naman. They’re receiving the proper medical care [sa hospital],” Dizon assured.
Additionally, he said that PBGen. Christopher Marcial Abecia is leading the investigation on the matter.
Prior to this, Dizon, along with the authorities, reviewed all the CCTV footage. Based on the tapes, the driver of the vehicle dropped someone off at the airport. After the passenger entered the premises, the car rammed into the NAIA Terminal 1’s departure level.
“Initially, mukha namang hindi pumunta dito yung driver para managasa. Hindi intentional, dahil nga nakita natin mayroon siyang isang hinatid na pasahero dito [sa may entrance]...hindi natin ngayon alam kung ano yung nangyari [pagkatapos bumaba ng pasahero]. Ayoko munang magsabi ng kahit ano na detalye kasi ongoing ang investigation ni PBGen. Abecia at ng PNP,” Dizon said.
The PNP is also interviewing the driver of the vehicle. Moreover, the latter will be subjected to a mandatory drug testing by the Scene of Crime Operatives (SOCO) - PNP.
Authorities will also look at other angles of the CCTV footage to verify the exact cause of the incident.
Respect for the victims, their families
Amid the chaos that ensued online after the accident, Dizon asked the public to respect the victims and their families. He asked that the public refrain from taking advantage of posting content from the accident just to get views on social media.
“We would like to ask everyone to please respect the victims. Nabalitaan ko [na] maraming social media footage na lumalabas ngayon na mga taong nag-upload sa Facebook. Ang pakiusap lang po namin, respetuhin lang po natin yung mga pamilyang namatayan. Huwag naman po natin sanang gagamitin ito para lang kumuha ng views sa social media,” he stated.
“Napakasakit po ng [pinag]dadaanan ng mga pamilya ngayon at huwag naman natin i-take advantage ‘yon para lang makakuha ng mga views…let us not use these social media footage just to get milage,” he added.
Previous updates
In an update, RH 5 Val Gonzales said that there are two fatalities recorded from the accident, including one minor.
Meanwhile, three individuals were reportedly injured.
According to Dizon, the San Miguel Corp. will be shouldering the medical expenses of the injured individuals, including the burial of the two people killed.
UPDATE: Kinumpirma ni DOTR Sec. Vince Dizon na 2 ang patay kabilang ang isang 5-anyos na bata sa malagim na aksidente sa Naia Terminal 1.
— DZRH NEWS (@dzrhnews) May 4, 2025
3 katao ang sugatan na nilulunasan na sa ospital. | DZRH News pic.twitter.com/vmMuZJBZgQ
Earlier today, a black SUV rammed into the departure level of the NAIA Terminal 1.
More details to follow.
