Pinoy revelry turns bloody

The Filipino community in Vancouver was plunged into heartbreak and horror on Sunday after a vehicle-ramming incident shattered the joy of Lapu-Lapu Day celebrations.

The Philippine Consulate General, in a statement of profound concern, expressed solidarity with those affected.

“As we await more information about the incident, we pray that our community remains strong and resilient, imbued with the spirit of bayanihan during this difficult time,” the Consulate said.

Earlier in the evening, chaos erupted as a sports utility vehicle (SUV) barreled into a street festival, leaving several victims dead and others severely injured.

The suspect, a 30-year-old man, was arrested by Canadian authorities shortly after the attack involving a sports utility vehicle (SUV).

The tragedy unfolded just after 8 p.m. in Vancouver’s Sunset on Fraser neighborhood, as the Filipino community had gathered in vibrant celebration of Lapu-Lapu Day — a commemoration of the 16th-century Filipino hero who fought against Spanish colonization.

Reacting to the carnage, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said on Sunday he was “completely shattered to hear about the terrible” incident, even as he assured that embassy officials are working with Canadian officials to ensure justice is served to the victims and their families.

“We are one with the families of the victims and the Filipino community in Vancouver during this difficult time,” Marcos said.

This year’s festivities fell on the eve of Canada’s upcoming election, adding a solemn shadow to the already tragic event.

The driver, described by authorities as a “lone suspect,” was known to police, a spokesperson revealed at the scene.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, visibly shaken, voiced his devastation: “I offer my deepest condolences to the loved ones of those killed and injured, to the Filipino Canadian community, and to everyone in Vancouver. We are all mourning with you,” he wrote on X.

In the aftermath, police confirmed that “a number of people have been killed and multiple others are injured” in the horrific incident. The victims’ identities or nationalities were yet to be released at press time.

Online footage, verified by Agence France-Presse, revealed the aftermath: a black SUV with a crumpled hood, abandoned on a street strewn with debris. Nearby, first responders tended to the injured, some lying motionless on the ground.

Photos published by Canadian broadcaster CBC depicted the chaos that followed, showing emergency crews working frantically amidst crowds still reeling from the violence.

Festival security guard Jen Idaba-Castaneto, caught in the carnage, described the scene with grim clarity to Vancouver Is Awesome: “Bodies everywhere. You don’t know who to help, here or there.”

The horror also resonated with political leaders, both in Canada and the Philippines. British Columbia Premier David Eby expressed his shock and heartbreak, while Vancouver’s Mayor Ken Sim offered his thoughts to all those affected, particularly the Filipino community.

A report said the suspect was suffering from mental health issues, while another said the police are looking at a possible hate crime.

In the Philippines, Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero condemned the attack as “dastardly,” calling it an act of unwarranted violence against Filipinos simply celebrating their heritage in Vancouver. “There is no place in this world for such horrible acts of violence,” he stated, “and I trust that Canadian law enforcement will leave no stone unturned to ensure justice is served.”

Senator Grace Poe also called for a fair investigation to bring justice for the victims of the incident.

“The incident involving a car that plowed into a crowd of our kababayans attending a street festival in Vancouver is condemnable and must be investigated at once,” Poe said.