Car ramming incident in Canada kills 11, injures dozens on Filipino cultural day; Filcom holds Luksang Bayan

By Sonny Fernandez

Filipinos in Canada are in deep sorrow over the loss of their loved ones in what Prime Minister Mark Carney described as “every family’s nightmare” that happened Saturday evening, local time.

The picture above shows the aftermath of the incident when a man in a SUV plowed into the crowd celebrating the Lapu-Lapu Day killing 11 and leaving dozens injured. [Photo courtesy of Bayan Canada]

What started out as a block party, ended up in tragedy.

This, after a 30-year-old man in a SUV, drove past a cultural celebration of the Filipino community in East Vancouver and rammed into the crowd killing at least 11, and injuring more than two dozens, according to police reports.

The attack happened on East 31st Avenue and Fraser Street at around 8:14 in the evening, Saturday Canada time, while guests were celebrating Lapu-Lapu Day, a Philippines hero known for bravely repelling Spanish colonial invaders and killed their leader, Ferdinand Magellan, April 27,1521.

The suspect was immediately nabbed by some festival-goers and turned over to authorities. Police identified the suspect as Kai-Ji Adam Lo and was charged with eight counts of second-degree murder though local news reports say the assessment of the complaints are in progress and more charges are being studied.

Premier Carney condoled with victims’ families and said officials are keeping abreast with the situation. “We will comfort the grieving. We will care for each other. We will unite in common purpose,” he assured.

Malaya Movement Canada, Migrante British Columbia and Bagong Alyansang Makabayan British Columbia expressed their ‘deepest and most sincere condolences” to the families of the victims.

“We have seen our kababayans in tears, mourning their loved ones who were brutally victimized. Their testimonies underline the horror of what happened,” Migrante BC and Bayan BC lamented.

“This is heavy and shocking news to our community,” it added and called on the Filipino community “to come together during this incredibly difficult time to offer strength, compassion, prayers and support to one another.”

Both condemned the dastardly act, called for swift justice and demanded transparent investigation,

Malaya appealed to the Philippines Consulate for “any and all assistance it can provide to the relatives and victims of this tragic act, as Filipinos require full assistance during this challenging period.”

Fellow Filipinos in Toronto, along with friends, supporters and allies mounted a "Luksang Bayan" (National Day of Mourning) at the Bathurst-Wilson Parkette the following day. They lighted candles, offered prayers and gave speeches to remember the victims and support the victims' families in their quest for justice.

In Toronto, friends, supporters and allies mounted a Luksang Bayan (National Day of Mourning) with a prayer vigil rally to remember kababayans or fellow Filipinos who died in the Lapu-Lapu Day Block Party tragedy. [Photo courtesy of Malaya Canada]

The same activities will be staged in many parts of the country, the Filipino organizations said.

Filipino journalist in Canada, Lui Queano, said in a chat interview that, based on initial reports they have gathered, “there are multiple casualties with more than 30 plus people affected. “

Queano said they are also looking on the possibility that the incident was not a simple driving mishap but a deliberate attack.  

He added that “25 to 30 people, many of them seniors and children, were directly struck (hit), with some remaining unresponsive when paramedics transported them to ambulances.”

In NBC report, Vancouver interim Police Chief Steve Rai on Sunday said victims are from 5 to 65 years old of “mixed genders, male, female and young people.”

In addition, Queano said “witnesses reported that attendees were lined up in the street when the attacker accelerated the SUV and deliberately plowed into the crowd. It was clearly a conscious effort to harm.”

He pointed out that days before the celebration, “racist posts about it were circulating on social media, prompting Filipino BC to issue a statement.”

They believe that such posts “should have alerted the police to deploy forces to ensure public safety and deter potential crimes – but there was no police presence.     

Rai has earlier explained that the police and city hall assessed the risks before the festival and found “no known threats to the event or to the Filipino community.”

As such, Rai said they found no need to assign police officers and heavy vehicles at the activity venue.

Meanwhile, progressive groups led by Bayan Canada have issued statement denouncing the incident. They are also organizing a National Day of Mourning with candle-lighting vigils, masses and other solidarity activities in their respective areas.

According to 2021 Census in Canada, Filipinos with over 957,000 [Source: America Demografia] are the third largest Asian ethnic group after China and India. Canada has a population of more than 40 million.

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