Kin of NAIA crash victim cry for justice
Published May 6, 2025 03:15 pm
At A Glance
- At the victim's wake, Keo's loyal dog named "Blue" quietly sits near his casket. The dog, they said, had never left his side.
Relatives at the wake of Dearick "Keo" Faustino in Brgy Abulalas, Hagonoy, Bulacan. (Photo from the official Facebook page of R.L.)
Shattered dreams, anger, a loyal friend, and a cry for justice.
These were the prevalent emotions among the family members of the 29-year-old man who was one of the two fatalities in the tragic car crash at the entrance of the departure area in Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1 on Sunday, May 4.
The victim, Dearick “Keo” Faustino, was a resident of Barangay Abulalas, Hagonoy, Bulacan.
At the wake, Keo’s loyal dog named “Blue” quietly sits near his casket. The dog, they said, had never left his side.
Ferdinand Nicolas, uncle of the victim, described the unbearable pain being felt by the family as they described Keo as someone who had big dreams for his loved ones.
Keo was the breadwinner and a beacon of hope for his family.
No one expected that his cheerful goodbye before his flight to Dubai would be his last.
Nicolas said that Faustino's dreams died with him.
He added that the victim supported his youngest sibling’s education—one had just graduated—and he also helped his father with the finances for their farm.
Keo worked for over nine years at a publishing company that sells textbooks to elementary and high schools. His job often required him to travel locally and abroad to meet partner schools.
He had just been promoted to Senior Supervisor and was handling international accounts.
On Sunday, May 4, he and his two colleagues were headed to Dubai for a six-day business meeting with Filipino school officials.
“It is saddening because he was on his way to a better position, but it was abruptly cut short due to an accident,” Nicolas said.
Faustino's two companions recalled that when they arrived at NAIA Terminal 1, he volunteered to get a pushcart for their luggage. While they were still inside the vehicle, they noticed people outside who were panicking. When they stepped out, they found Keo pinned under a crashed vehicle.
Police said Keo died on the spot.
However, his companions told the police that he was still moving and trying to speak when they found him.
His wake is being held at his home in Barangay Abulalas, Hagonoy, Bulacan.