The Lapu-Lapu Festival in Vancouver on Saturday was meant to be a celebration of Filipino heritage, but a car-ramming attack that killed at least 11 and left dozens injured has left the community reeling from tragedy.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney as well as his election rival conservative leader Pierre Poilievre extended their sympathies, as did Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. after the attack.
The suspect was arrested and faces murder charges. Police say his motive remains unclear.
David Eby, the premier of British Columbia, a province home to some 174,000 people of Philippine descent, described the local Filipino community as one “that does nothing but give, has nothing but love,” adding: “The grief right now and the solidarity with the Filipino community is not just Vancouver, it’s not just British Columbia, it’s national, and it’s even international.”
“We are in incredible pain,” provincial lawmaker Mable Elmore saidat a press conference on Sunday. …