"Anak ko 'yan!" "Anak ko 'yan!" These were the anguished cries of Mark Masongsong, father of the four-year-old girl who was crushed to death at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) on Sunday, May 4, by a wayward Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV).

Masongsong sat crunched in front of the departure area of NAIA Terminal 1, inconsolable, as airport security personnel tried to calm him down. They said he sounded like a wounded animal and his howl of pain was something they will forever remember.

"Anak ko yun, nasa ilalim," as his daughter, Maliya, remained pinned under the black Ford Everest as rescue teams tried to extricate the victims from the site of the carnage.

The Pasay City Police confirmed that Maliya had just sent off her father with a tight hug, a kiss, and a goodbye. Little did they know that it would be her final goodbye. Mark, an overseas Filipino worker (OFW), was set to return to his job abroad.

A few minutes later, he would receive a phone call that would shatter his world.

Mark rushed out of the departure area and saw the gruesome scene in the place of what had just been a few minutes ago a happy and bittersweet send off for him by his family.

Randy Balog, a relative, said Mark spent three weeks with his family, the longest break he has ever had as a seafarer.

“'Yung bata ngayon pa lamang nakasama ng tatay. Bago siya sumakay, maliit pa yung bata, wala pang malay, eh ngayon nangyari sa hindi inaasahan pangyayari ay talagang napakahirap tanggapin,” Balog said.

Pasay City Police investigator-on-case, Pat. Leo Montoya, said Maliya was with her family and was supposed to return home to Marawoy, Lipa City, Batangas when the tragic incident happened.

Montoya said the other victim who died on the spot was Dearick Keo Faustino, 28.

He said Maliya’s mother, Cynthia Masongsong, 31, was critically injured and was immediately brought to the San Juan de Dios Hospital for treatment. She was reportedly transferred to St. Luke's Hospital.

Also injured were Mark’s mother Editha Soriano, 61, and niece, Safiya Masongsong, 7.

Initial investigation made by the Pasay City Police showed that the suspect, Leo Gonzales, 47, driver of the SUV with plate number DVB-3411, had just dropped off his passenger and was preparing to exit the parking premises at the NAIA departure area.

Col. Joselito De Sesto, Pasay City Police chief, said Gonzales claimed the vehicle experienced sudden unintended acceleration which caused him to panic.

De Sesto said the driver added that instead of stepping on the brake, he accidentally stepped on the accelerator, causing him to hit the victims at the entrance of the departure area.

He said the driver was first placed under their custody and later turned over to the PNP Aviation Security Group which will be handling the case.