Marcos ‘shattered’ upon hearing about Vancouver fatal incident
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. File photo
MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said he is “completely shattered” by the fatal incident at the Lapu-Lapu Day Block Party in Vancouver, which resulted in several injuries and deaths.
READ: 9 confirmed dead as driver plows into crowd at Vancouver festival
In a statement, Marcos said the Philippine Consulate General in Vancouver is already working with Canadian authorities to ensure that the incident is thoroughly investigated and that the victims and their families are supported and consoled.
READ: Several killed as driver plows into crowd at Filipino event in Vancouver
“I am completely shattered to hear about the terrible incident during a Lapu Lapu Day Block Party in Vancouver, BC, Canada,” he said.
“On behalf of the Philippine Government and the Filipino people, Liza and I would like to express our deepest sympathies to the families of the victims and to the strong and thriving Filipino community in Canada,” Marcos also said.
The president further stated that the Philippine government stands with the families of the victims and the Filipino community in Vancouver during this difficult time.
DFA statement
Meanwhile, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) also expressed its deepest condolences to the victims and vowed that they, along with the Philippine Consulate General in Vancouver, are ready to provide help to the bereaved families.
They will also cooperate with Canadian authorities to ensure that adequate support will be provided to our Filipino community.
“As we mourn the tragic turn of events, we remember the one million strong Filipino community in Canada and pray for their continued strength and resilience,” the DFA statement read.
According to an Agence France-Presse report dated April 27, a driver plowed into a crowd at the Lapu-Lapu Festival in Vancouver, British Columbia, on Saturday (Canadian time).
Nine people were confirmed dead, but their identities are yet to be disclosed.
In a separate statement, Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero called on the Philippine Consulate and other embassy officials in Vancouver and across Canada to provide all necessary assistance to the victims, as well as to their families.
“My thoughts and prayers are with the victims of this shocking and horrific incident, whose perpetrator and possible accomplices should be brought to justice and punished to the fullest extent of the law,” he said.
READ: Escudero urges PH consulate to help victims of Vancouver crash
Escudero also stressed that there is no place for such “horrible acts of violence” in the world. He expressed trust that Canadian law enforcement agencies “will leave no stone unturned to ensure that justice is served.”
“I urge our Philippine Consulate and other Embassy officials in Vancouver and Canada to extend all assistance possible to Filipino victims and their families and ensure that they are well taken cared of and for steps to be undertaken to prevent this from happening again in the future,” he said.
