Philippine and international leaders have expressed their condolences to the victims of the tragic car ramming at a Filipino community street festival in Vancouver, Canada, which left 11 people dead and several others injured.
President Marcos Jr. conveyed his deep sorrow over the tragedy.
“I am completely shattered to hear about the terrible incident during a Lapu Lapu Day Block Party in Vancouver, BC, Canada,” Marcos said in a public statement on Sunday.
“Liza and I would like to express our deepest sympathies to the families of the victims and the strong and thriving Filipino community in Canada,” the President said.
He said the Philippine Consulate General in Vancouver “is working with Canadian authorities to ensure that the incident will be thoroughly investigated, and that the victims and their families are supported and consoled.”
Vice President Sara Duterte condemned in the “strongest possible terms” the attack as she condoled with the families and loved ones of those killed and injured during the Lapu Lapu Day Block Party.
“My thoughts are with every kababayan affected by an act of violence that has no place in our shared humanity,” Duterte said.
Ranking members of the House of Representatives and the Senate also grieved over the tragic car attack.
“Today, our hearts grieve with our Filipino community in Vancouver…What was supposed to be a day of joy — a day to celebrate our heroes, our heritage, and the spirit that binds us as one Filipino family — turned into a day of heartbreak,” House Speaker Martin Romualdez said in a statement on Monday, April 28.
Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero, for his part, urged the Philippine Consulate and other embassy officials in Vancouver and Canada to extend all assistance possible to the Filipino victims and their families.
Meanwhile, the Canadian Embassy in the Philippines said that it was “devastated” by the tragedy.
“We are devastated and heartbroken by the terrible tragedy during the Lapu Lapu Festival in Vancouver. We offer our deepest condolences to the loved ones of those killed and injured and we join the Filipino-Canadian community in their time of grief,” the embassy wrote on its social media pages.
United States Ambassador to Manila MaryKay Carlson also sympathized with the victims of the festival incident.
“I offer my deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of those killed and injured at the Filipino festival in Vancouver. My heart goes out to everyone affected,” the envoy said.
Present world leaders also posted on their X (formerly Twitter) accounts about the incident.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney assured that Canada is behind the Filipino-Canadian community.
“The attack at the Lapu Lapu festival has left our country shocked, devastated, and heartbroken. To those grieving, to those who were injured, to the Filipino Canadian community, and to everyone in Vancouver: Canada is mourning with you, and we are united behind you,” he said on X.
The Senate of Canada’s X page showed a photo of the Peace Tower in Ottawa with the Canadian flag flown at half-mast “to mark the tragic deaths that occurred at the Lapu Lapu Festival in Vancouver on April 26, 2025.”
The post said that the flag will be flown at half-mast until sunset on April 29, 2025.
HEARTBREAKING
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called the tragedy “heartbreaking,” and tagged Carney’s and President Marcos’ official X accounts.
“On this sad day, Ukrainians deeply share the pain of Canadians, Vancouver residents, and the Canadian Filipino community. Our condolences to the victims’ families, and we wish the injured a speedy recovery. Stay strong, our friends in Canada and the Philippines @MarkJCarney @bongbongmarcos,” he said.
United Kingdom’s King Charles and Queen Camilla stated about how they are “profoundly saddened to learn of the dreadful attack and utterly tragic loss of life in Vancouver.”
“Our hearts and prayers go out to all those whose lives have been shattered by such a desperate tragedy and we send our deepest possible sympathy at a most agonizing time for so many in Canada,” a statement from his office read.
“In the wake of the brutal events in Vancouver, we express our deepest condolences, solidarity and friendship to the people of Canada, and especially the Filipino community. Europe is with you in these difficult times,” EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stated.
PUBLIC WARNED
VS FUNDRAISING
Meanwhile, the Philippine Consulate General in Vancouver warned the public that certain individuals have set up GoFundMe pages claiming to raise funds for the victims of the festival.
A screenshot of the page showed the consulate’s official message as backdrop.
“The public is advised that the Philippine Consulate General has not created any fundraising efforts nor has sanctioned any entities to raise funds on behalf of the victims of the Lapu Lapu Day Incident,” the consulate said in a statement posted on its Facebook page.
“The public is also advised to exercise vigilance and prudence to avoid being victimized by unscrupulous and malicious actors attempting to exploit this tragedy that has befallen the Filipino Community in British Columbia,” it added. (Raymund Antonio, Ellson Quismorio, Hannah Torregoza)
