Vancouver: Lawmakers at the House of Representatives on Monday expressed grief and solidarity with the Filipino community in Vancouver, Canada following a deadly car-ramming incident at a Lapu-Lapu Day celebration. In a statement, Speaker Martin Romualdez assured Filipinos in Canada that the Philippine government is grieving with them and ready to provide assistance.

According to Philippines News Agency, a 30-year-old Vancouver resident, Kai-Ji Adam Lo, drove a sports utility vehicle into a crowd on Saturday night, resulting in the death of 11 people as of posting time. Romualdez asked Philippine consular officers in Canada to "act swiftly" and ensure that Filipinos are given "the support, protection and justice they deserve." He also called on Canadian authorities to "strengthen measures that ensure the safety of all, especially our Filipino community."

House Deputy Majority Leader Paolo Ortega V condemned the incident and joined in mourning with the Filipino-Canadian community. "We mourn with our Filipino-Canadian brothers and sisters. We stand united in grief and in prayer for the victims of this senseless act of violence," he said in a separate statement. Ortega emphasized that no celebration of Filipino identity should ever be marred by such violence.

The Lapu-Lapu Day festival, held for only the second year, honors the heroism of Datu Lapu-Lapu, a 16th-century Filipino chieftain who resisted Spanish colonization. British Columbia officially recognized April 27 as Lapu-Lapu Day in 2023 to highlight the cultural contributions of Filipino-Canadians.

The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), following President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s directive, is ready to provide assistance and support to those affected by the incident. The Migrant Workers Office in Vancouver is coordinating closely with the Philippine Consulate General and Canadian authorities. The DMW has provided hotlines for immediate assistance, including numbers for the Assistance-to-Nationals Hotline, the Migrant Workers' Office, and the Vancouver Police Victim Support.

In a separate statement, the Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) conveyed its condolences and affirmed its active monitoring of the situation. CFO Secretary Dante Ang II thanked Vancouver's emergency responders for their swift action during this tragic event.