According to initial report and witness accounts, a vehicle lost control and rammed into the pedestrian area where passengers and their families commonly gather. The force of the impact was enough to topple the bollard, which failed to absorb or stop the vehicle’s momentum. The victims had just arrived and were waiting in the pickup zone when they were struck. Reuters
The CCTV footage capturing the tragic incident at NAIA Terminal 1 on May 4, 2025, was released by the ABS-CBN. This footage shows the moment an SUV crashed into the terminal’s departure entrance, resulting in the deaths of a 5-year-old child and a 29-year-old man. The video has been shared on various platforms, including Facebook and YouTube, to provide visual evidence of the event.
This heartbreaking event has become a grim symbol of a larger, systemic issue: the use of substandard materials and construction practices in public infrastructure, often linked to corruption and cost-cutting measures.
“This wasn’t just an accident, it was a preventable tragedy,” said online personality and safety engineer Clark Ferrer, who reviewed the scene. “Lives were lost not just because of a crash, but because of institutional negligence” (Daily Guardian).
Families of the victims, advocacy groups, and concerned citizens are now demanding accountability — not just from airport authorities but from contractors and officials who allowed substandard installations to pass inspection. There are also growing calls for a nationwide audit of public infrastructure safety, particularly in high-traffic, high-risk areas like transport terminals, schools, and public parks.
This incident is more than a wake-up call; it is a stark reminder that the consequences of corruption and neglect in construction can be immediate and fatal.
The loss of a child and a young family provider is a tragedy that should never have occurred. The Philippine government, through the Department of Transportation and allied agencies, must launch a full investigation and ensure that justice is served. At the same time, this moment must spark lasting reform in how infrastructure is planned, built, and monitored putting safety and integrity above all else.
