Bloody departure at NAIA 2

A Narita-bound Japanese national caused panic when he slashed his own throat in an apparent suicide attempt at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal II (NAIA 2) yesterday.

Koji Sawaguchi, 35, was preparing for a security check before boarding a Philippine Airlines flight when he pulled out a four-inch fan knife and slashed his own throat in front of horrified bystanders.

With blood being sprayed around Sawaguchi, several bystanders fainted while others went into panic.

Airport personnel and bystanders rushed the Japanese national to the San Juan de Dios Hospital on board a commandeered Toyota Tamaraw. The Japanese was in critical condition when brought to the hospital’s emergency room.

Witnesses said Koji Sawaguchi, 35, looked despondent as he was being escorted by two unidentified Filipino women at the main entrance of the terminal.

The same witnesses said Sawaguchi slashed his throat after the two girls left him.

They said before the suicide attempt the Japanese national was being consoled by two Filipinas who accompanied him to the airport for his flight to Japan. – Rey Arquiza, AFP