A 26-year-old male helper died after committing suicide by jumping from the ledge at the departure area of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) in Pasay City. He landed at the arrival area and was rushed to the nearest hospital for treatment as he initially survived the fall.
The man, identified as Michael Laureno, a helper employed at Haiasi Company and said to be residing in Sto. Tomas, Batangas, reportedly suffered severe head and mouth injuries due to the fall that almost knocked out all of his teeth.
Initial investigation showed that Laureno fell from the entrance curbside area of the NAIA terminal 1 at around 12:30 p.m. yesterday and fell straight to the arrival curbside area, particularly near the office of the assistant general manager for security and emergency services (AGMSES). The area from where he fell is near the Overseas Workers’ Welfare Administration (OWWA) lounge.
The medical team and security personnel of the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) quickly responded to the incident and he was still alive when brought to the hospital at 1:14 p.m. A statement from the MIAA said he died at the Pasay City General Hospital at 2:45 p.m., as the authority expressed its condolences to the victim’s family.
Initial investigation showed that Laureno had been seen seemingly restless while staying in a corner and then walked back and forth, until he suddenly climbed the area leading to the stairs and jumped off the ledge, landing on the steel gangchairs directly below.
The Airport Police Department (APD) is now conducting a thorough investigation into the said incident although CCTV footages reportedly corroborated the accounts of the witnesses. (Baby Cuevas)
