President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. expressed deep sorrow over the tragic incident at the Lapu-Lapu Festival in Vancouver, Canada, where a driver plowed into a crowd, claiming at least 11 lives.
“Completely shattered to hear about the terrible incident,” Marcos said while en route to Manila from Rome, where he attended the funeral of Pope Francis. He added, “On a day meant to honor the courage of Lapu-Lapu, our Kababayans in Vancouver became victims of an unspeakable tragedy.”
Marcos assured the public that Filipino diplomats in Vancouver have been directed to assist the victims and work closely with Canadian authorities. “We will do everything in our power to bring comfort, to bring help, and to honor their memory with action,” he vowed, urging the community to stay calm and vigilant.
Vice President Sara Duterte also conveyed her condolences, calling the attack “an act of violence that has no place in our shared humanity.” She condemned the assault and stressed that “those responsible must be held fully accountable under Canadian law.”
Both leaders stood united in mourning with the Filipino community abroad, offering prayers and pledging continued support for those affected.
