OFW who lost child in NAIA SUV crash: She wanted me to take her to school

The Overseas Filipino worker (OFW) is seeking justice for his young daughter who died when a sports utility vehicle (SUV) crashed into the departure area of Terminal 1 of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) on Sunday.

In Oscar Oida’s Monday report on “24 Oras,” the distraught father, Danmark Masongsong, said he still could not believe that Malia, his four-year-old daughter, was gone.

“Kaya po ako nag-iibang bansa para po sa kanilang dalawa tapos ganun po mangyayari (I’m working abroad for my wife and daughter, but this happened),” Masongsong said at the wake of his child.

He recounted that it was about 15 minutes after entering NAIA when he heard a noise.

“Ka-text ko pa asawa ko niyan e hindi na po siya nagre-reply kaya ako natakot at napatakbo,” Masongsong said.

(I was texting my wife, but when she did not reply, I got scared and ran outside.)

“Tapos noong paglabas ko po nakita ko ‘yung magulang ko pati aking pamangkin, pati yung aking asawa nasa ambulansya. ‘Yung anak ko di ko makita pero nung pagtingin ko sa ilalim ng sasakyan ‘dun ko na po nakita,” he added.

(When I got outside, I saw my parents, nephew, and my wife, who were in an ambulance. I did not see my daughter until I checked under the SUV.)

Masongsong was planning to finish his two-year contract abroad and return to the Philippines to put up a business that would allow him to be closer to his family.

Now his daughter has passed away while his wife is still in the hospital.

“Ang sabi niya sa akin, ‘Daddy, ikaw na maghahatid sa school sa akin’, kasi ‘di ko pa nahahatid sa school ‘yan kasi lagi ako nasa ibang bansa, kaya gusto niya maranasan din ‘yun kasi mga classmate niya laging nandun ang daddy nila,” Masongsong said.

(My daughter said that I would soon be taking her to school. I was unable to do it since I’m working abroad. She wanted me to take her to school like her classmates with their fathers.)

Until now, Masongsong’s wife is unaware that their daughter passed away since she is still recovering in the hospital.

His mother and nephew were also injured but are in good condition.

Masongsong hopes that the driver will be held accountable for his actions that killed two persons and injured several others.

Personnel of the Department of Migrant Workers and Overseas Workers Welfare Administration also attended the wake to provide assistance to Masongsong’s family.