Marcos vows assistance to Filipinos in tragic car attack at Lapu Lapu Day in Canada

Metro Manila, Philippines – A Filipino celebration in Vancouver, Canada, turned tragic when a sports utility vehicle crashed into the crowd during the Lapu Lapu Day Block Party on Saturday night, killing 11 people and injuring several others.

In the wake of the tragedy, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. extended his condolences to the victims and their families, vowing to provide assistance and support.

In a statement, Marcos shared his grief with the victims’ families, emphasizing that the lives lost in the tragedy would not be forgotten.

“As your President, and as a father, I share in your grief and your anguish. The lives lost will not be forgotten,” he said. “The Filipino people stand together in mourning, in prayer, and in unwavering support. We will do everything in our power to bring comfort, to bring help, and to honor their memory with action,” he said.

The president also assured that the Philippine government is taking immediate action to assist the victims, saying that specific instructions have been given to the country’s diplomats and staff in Vancouver to extend aid and coordinate with Canadian authorities. Marcos urged the Filipino community to remain calm yet vigilant during this difficult time.

The tragic incident occurred shortly after 8PM on Saturday (1PM PH time), when a male driver, reportedly 30 years old, drove into a pedestrian-only area near East 41st Avenue and Fraser Street. The Vancouver police said the driver has a history of mental health issues and is currently under custody.

Witnesses described chaotic scenes, with people screaming and bodies lying on the street. Some victims were declared dead on the spot, while others were severely injured, including a child with an open scalp wound.

The Philippine Consulate General in Vancouver expressed its deep concern and sympathies, reaffirming the Filipino community’s spirit of bayanihan (cooperation) amidst the tragedy. Local authorities, including Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim and Member of Parliament Harjit Sajjan, also offered their condolences, calling the incident a blow to the heart of the neighborhood.