Driver in NAIA crash out on bail

MANILA, Philippines — The driver in the vehicular accident at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1, which resulted in the deaths of a 28-year-old man and a five-year-old girl, has been released on bail.

Judge Christian Castañeda of Pasay Regional Trial Court Branch 109 ordered Leo Gonzales’ release on Thursday after he posted P100,000 bail.

Gonzales is facing charges of reckless imprudence resulting in two counts of homicide, multiple physical injuries and damage to property for accidentally stepping on the gas pedal of a Ford Everest he was driving and crashing into the NAIA terminal’s glass wall.

The accident claimed the lives of Dearick Keo Faustino, 29, a senior supervisor of a publishing company living in Hagonoy, Bulacan, and Malia Masongsong, 5, whose family is based in Lipa, Batangas.

Faustino’s father Ricky expressed disappointment over the court’s decision.

“It’s painful for us because after what he did, he ended up just like that,” Ricky told The STAR in Filipino by phone. “But what can we do? Our law is like that.”

The STAR also reached out to Malia’s father, Danmark, but he has refused to comment on the matter.

Danmark, whose wife was also critically injured in the accident, told reporters during Malia’s wake that he finds it impossible to forgive the suspect.

Ricky said neither the suspect nor the Everest owner has contacted him to offer compensation.

Gonzales underwent physical and medical examination at the Pasay City General Hospital, and the result yielded no external signs of injury. He was turned over to his live-in partner.

His arraignment is scheduled for May 27, while the initial trial is set for Aug. 5. — Rudy Santos