A two-year-old girl survived a devastating accident on the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) in Marilao, Bulacan on 18 Jun 2025, after her grandfather shielded her with his body during the impact.
The accident occurred around noon when an 18-wheeler truck struck the bottom of an overhead bridge at the Marilao Interchange.
The collision caused the bridge’s girder to fall and crash onto the front of a car travelling beside the truck.
Advertisements
NLEX Marilao Accident Claims Life of Heroic Grandfather
The impact caused the family’s AUV, which was carrying seven members, to flip over to its right side. All occupants were transported to Joni Villanueva Hospital for treatment.
Bong Chua, a 54-year-old grandfather, was pronounced dead on arrival at the hospital. Marilao Police Chief Lieutenant Colonel Eulogio Lamqui III confirmed that Mr Chua secured his granddaughter’s safety during the incident.
“When the accident occurred, he hugged the child. The elderly man kept hugging the child as the car flipped over, causing her to be saved and not sustain many injuries,” Lieutenant Colonel Lamqui told ABS-CBN.
The family from Paranaque was travelling to Baguio City to visit relatives when the tragedy struck. Four out of six survivors remain hospitalised for treatment.
Truck Driver Faces Multiple Charges in NLEX Bridge Incident
The 31-year-old truck driver Roy Taporco Macalisang remains in detention at the Marilao Police Station. He asked for forgiveness from the victims and expressed willingness to face the consequences of his actions.
In an interview with GMA News, the truck driver explained that he did not expect the truck to become lodged into the bridge, as he drove that route daily. On the day of the incident, he used a different chassis which he had failed to measure properly.
Macalisang faces multiple charges including reckless imprudence resulting in homicide. The Marilao Police continue their investigation into the incident.
The same bridge was struck by a truck earlier this year, causing severe damage to the infrastructure.
Advertisements
Would you be jailed for being half-naked in public? Well, the answer will shock you. Seriously. Watch this to the end and you'll understand:
