Driver in fatal NAIA crash that killed child, OFW pleads not guilty | ABS-CBN
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Driver in fatal NAIA crash that killed child, OFW pleads not guilty
Authorities at the scene after a deadly car crash at the NAIA Terminal 1, May 4, 2025. Agatha Gregorio, ABS-CBN News/File
Authorities at the scene after a deadly car crash at the NAIA Terminal 1, May 4, 2025. Agatha Gregorio, ABS-CBN News/FilePASAY CITY — The driver of the black SUV involved in a fatal crash at the departure area of NAIA Terminal 1 has pleaded not guilty during his arraignment at the Pasay Regional Trial Court Branch 109 on Tuesday, May 27.
PASAY CITY — The driver of the black SUV involved in a fatal crash at the departure area of NAIA Terminal 1 has pleaded not guilty during his arraignment at the Pasay Regional Trial Court Branch 109 on Tuesday, May 27.
Leo Gonzales, the driver of the vehicle that killed 4-year-old Malia Kates Yuchen Masongsong and overseas Filipino worker Dearick Keo Faustino on May 4, has been formally charged with reckless imprudence resulting in two counts of homicide, multiple physical injuries, and damage to property.
Leo Gonzales, the driver of the vehicle that killed 4-year-old Malia Kates Yuchen Masongsong and overseas Filipino worker Dearick Keo Faustino on May 4, has been formally charged with reckless imprudence resulting in two counts of homicide, multiple physical injuries, and damage to property.
Gonzales refused to give any comment following the arraignment.
Gonzales refused to give any comment following the arraignment.
He earlier claimed that he panicked after another vehicle passed in front of him, which led him to accidentally press the accelerator and plow into pedestrians at the curbside.
He earlier claimed that he panicked after another vehicle passed in front of him, which led him to accidentally press the accelerator and plow into pedestrians at the curbside.
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Though she is still recovering from her injuries from the incident, Cynthia Masongsong, Malia’s mother, attended the arraignment with her husband, Danmark.
Though she is still recovering from her injuries from the incident, Cynthia Masongsong, Malia’s mother, attended the arraignment with her husband, Danmark.
Cynthia became emotional as she came face-to-face with the man who killed her daughter.
Cynthia became emotional as she came face-to-face with the man who killed her daughter.
“Nasasaktan lang ako na makita siya. Kasi kung hindi dahil sa kanya nandito pa sana 'yung anak ko. Di sana ako ganito. Buo sana ang pamilya namin. Mahal na mahal ko 'yung anak ko, alagang alaga ko 'yung anak ko. Sa isang iglap biglang ganun. Tapos ganun lang 'yung mangyayari. Hindi ko matatanggap, lalaban kami hanggang dulo. Ipaglalaban ko 'yung anak ko, ipaglalaban namin anak ko hanggang dulo laban kami,” Cynthia said in tears.
“Nasasaktan lang ako na makita siya. Kasi kung hindi dahil sa kanya nandito pa sana 'yung anak ko. Di sana ako ganito. Buo sana ang pamilya namin. Mahal na mahal ko 'yung anak ko, alagang alaga ko 'yung anak ko. Sa isang iglap biglang ganun. Tapos ganun lang 'yung mangyayari. Hindi ko matatanggap, lalaban kami hanggang dulo. Ipaglalaban ko 'yung anak ko, ipaglalaban namin anak ko hanggang dulo laban kami,” Cynthia said in tears.
Ricky Faustino, father of the deceased OFW, was also present during the hearing. After the arraignment, both parties were referred to the Philippine Mediation Center as part of standard court procedure.
Ricky Faustino, father of the deceased OFW, was also present during the hearing. After the arraignment, both parties were referred to the Philippine Mediation Center as part of standard court procedure.
Inside the mediation room, Gonzales reportedly tried to apologize to the victims’ families but his apologies were rejected.
Inside the mediation room, Gonzales reportedly tried to apologize to the victims’ families but his apologies were rejected.
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“Hindi ko kinakausap eh, panay nung nandun kami panay hingi pasensya eh di ko pinapansin, kasi nasa likod ko siya eh, umiiyak pa pati dito sa isang tatay ni malia, panay hingi niya ng pasensya, pasensya daw di niya ginusto,” said Ricky Faustino.
“Hindi ko kinakausap eh, panay nung nandun kami panay hingi pasensya eh di ko pinapansin, kasi nasa likod ko siya eh, umiiyak pa pati dito sa isang tatay ni malia, panay hingi niya ng pasensya, pasensya daw di niya ginusto,” said Ricky Faustino.
“Sa ngayon hindi pa, masakit pa… Hindi ko pa masasabi [kung mapatawad ko siya],” he adds.
“Sa ngayon hindi pa, masakit pa… Hindi ko pa masasabi [kung mapatawad ko siya],” he adds.
“Naiyak, wala namang luha, hindi naman sincere ang ano eh… Pinatay niya anak ko tapos ang aking asawa kritikal, sa aking ina kritikal din pati pamangkin ko. Hindi po, tuloy tuloy po. Walang halaga po… Siyempre galit po, hindi ko po matangap iyon,” said Danmark Masongsong.
“Naiyak, wala namang luha, hindi naman sincere ang ano eh… Pinatay niya anak ko tapos ang aking asawa kritikal, sa aking ina kritikal din pati pamangkin ko. Hindi po, tuloy tuloy po. Walang halaga po… Siyempre galit po, hindi ko po matangap iyon,” said Danmark Masongsong.
The victims’ families firmly rejected any settlement offer and vowed to pursue full legal action.
The victims’ families firmly rejected any settlement offer and vowed to pursue full legal action.
“Tinanong po ng mediator kung willing sila makipag-settle, both families po manifested na hindi po sila interested na makipag-settle po,” said Atty. Elmer Train, counsel for the Faustino family.
“Tinanong po ng mediator kung willing sila makipag-settle, both families po manifested na hindi po sila interested na makipag-settle po,” said Atty. Elmer Train, counsel for the Faustino family.
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“Ay di kami pumayag ng areglo eh... Decided talaga kami na walang areglo, eh nakapatay siya eh,” added Faustino.
“Ay di kami pumayag ng areglo eh... Decided talaga kami na walang areglo, eh nakapatay siya eh,” added Faustino.
“Tuloy tuloy ang laban namin… Hindi kami makikipag-areglo, tuloy ang laban namin. Tuloy tuloy naman ang aming laban, magpa-file kami ng civil case for damages pati criminal case,” said Masongsong.
“Tuloy tuloy ang laban namin… Hindi kami makikipag-areglo, tuloy ang laban namin. Tuloy tuloy naman ang aming laban, magpa-file kami ng civil case for damages pati criminal case,” said Masongsong.
“Nakikipag-areglo siya pero hindi kami makikipag-areglo, tuloy tuloy ang aming kaso hanggang sa huli,” he adds.
“Nakikipag-areglo siya pero hindi kami makikipag-areglo, tuloy tuloy ang aming kaso hanggang sa huli,” he adds.
Gonzales remained silent following the mediation.
Gonzales remained silent following the mediation.
Aside from the ongoing criminal case, the Masongsong family plans to file a civil case for damages, according to Atty. Falconi Millar, regional director of DMW NCR.
Aside from the ongoing criminal case, the Masongsong family plans to file a civil case for damages, according to Atty. Falconi Millar, regional director of DMW NCR.
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“Direction ng pamilya is to file civil damages to recover yung salaries niya for OFW for 2 years. According to the OFW $2,500 per month or more than ₱3 million sa duration ng kanyang kontrata,” Millar said.
“Direction ng pamilya is to file civil damages to recover yung salaries niya for OFW for 2 years. According to the OFW $2,500 per month or more than ₱3 million sa duration ng kanyang kontrata,” Millar said.
The court scheduled the next mediation session for June 16, with pre-trial dates set for July 1 and August 5.
The court scheduled the next mediation session for June 16, with pre-trial dates set for July 1 and August 5.
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