Kin of Pinoy victims in Vancouver Filipino festival attack seek help

Families of the victims of the attack during a Filipino festival in Vancouver, Canada on weekend are seeking help online.

Former GMA reporter Rhea Santos, who is now a correspondent and news anchor for Omni News, said that there were already GoFundMe accounts set up online for monetary donations.

The tragic accident spoiled a supposedly fun street gathering in commemoration of anti-colonial hero Lapu-Lapu last April 26 after an SUV driver plowed into a crowd and killed at least 11 individuals.

“Kahit 'yung mga authorities dito ay hindi naglalabas ng identities ng 11 casualties. Pero what I can confirm siguro at lumabas na naman, may mga GoFundMe account na. I can say na may kababayan tayo na may GoFundMe na para sa isang kababayan natin, humihingi ng tulong para maiuwi 'yung labi niya sa Pilipinas,” said Santos in an interview with Arnold Clavio in Unang Balita on Monday.

(Even the authorities here are not releasing the identities of the 11 casualties. But what I can confirm is that because it was already out, there are GoFundMe accounts. I can say that we have a compatriot who has a GoFundMe for one of our fellow Filipinos, asking for help to bring his remains back to the Philippines.)

Santos hosted the festival’s program and left at around 4 p.m. The broadcaster recalled that her phone’s notifications suddenly exploded come evening as her loved ones checked on her following the incident.

“Kinamusta mo ako, I’m not okay. Ang Filipino community natin dito sa Vancouver ay nagdadalamhati. We’re all grieving,” she said.

(If you are asking me if I’m good, I’m not okay. Our Filipino community here in Vancouver is grieving. We’re all grieving.)

“Kasi ang saya lang nung event, ang saya lang ng selebrasyon. Alam mo naman kapag selebrasyon ng Pilipino, pami-pamilya, mga magkakaibi-kaibigan, happy lang tayo, kainan.”

(Because the event was fun. We all knew that in every Filipino celebration, families and friends gather and eat happily.)

Santos said that Filipinos now in Vancouver are experiencing a mix of emotions following the tragedy.

“Halo-halong emosyon - sakit, galit, 'yung iba talagang tulala pa, hindi pa makapaniwala na mangyayari ito,” she said.

(It was a mix of emotions - pain, anger, and some are still in state of shock because of what happened.)

According to a Reuters report, the 30-year-old male suspect was charged with eight counts of second degree murder by the prosecutors in British Columbia.

However, the police said that the incident was not an act of terrorism, noting that the suspect had a history of mental health issues.

The Department of Migrant Workers earlier in the day said it is ready to provide all the necessary assistance and support to the victims of the incident in line with its mandate to ensure the safety and wellness of Overseas Filipino Workers.

Meanwhile, the Philippine Consulate General in Vancouver, Canada advised the public Monday to "exercise vigilance and prudence to avoid falling victim to unscrupulous and malicious actors seeking to exploit the tragedy that has befallen the Filipino community in British Columbia."

In a statement, the consulate said several GoFundMe pages had been created, misusing a screenshot of its official announcement as a background image. —Vince Angelo Ferreras/AOL, GMA Integrated News