Vancouver street festival suspect may face more charges —PH ambassador

The man who drove an SUV into a crowd during the Lapu-Lapu Day festival in Vancouver, Canada and killed at least 11 people may face more charges, Philippine Ambassador to Canada Maria Andrelita Austria said Wednesday.

As of now, British Columbia prosecutors have charged 30-year-old Kai-Ji Adam Lo with eight counts of second-degree murder.

“Pino-process pa nila ‘yung sumunod na mga batch. Ang suspetsa namin, ito ‘yung mga naunang una na. Tapos ‘yung iba kasi sa ospital na binawian ng buhay. Ito ‘yung nauna,” Austria told Super Radyo dzBB.

(They’re still processing the next batch. Our suspicion is that these were the very first ones. Some of the others passed away in the hospital. These were the earliest.)

“Ipinangako sa amin na madadagdagan pa ‘yung kaso. Pino-proseso lang,” she added.

(We were promised that more charges will be added. They’re just being processed.)

The incident took place over the weekend, killing at least 11 aged between 5 and 65 and injuring numerous others.

Austria, however, clarified that not all fatalities and injured individuals are Filipinos. She said the embassy has met with the families of the victims.

“Nakausap na ang pamilya ng mga nasawi na Pilipino at binibigyan namin sila ng full assistance. Gano'n din 'yung mga kababayan natin na nasugatan,” the ambassador said.

(We’ve already spoken with the families of the Filipinos who died and we’re providing them with full assistance. The same goes for our fellow citizens who were injured.)

Meanwhile, she said they will coordinate with the police with future events.

Austria said that the Filipino Heritage Month will take place in June, which will lead to numerous celebrations across Canada.

“Nangako naman [ang pulis] na they are currently reviewing all the security protocols. At sa ngayon ni-request nila kami na kapag meron tayong malaking gathering, i-alert sila at gagawa sila ng kaukulang paghahanda,” she said.

(The police promised that they are currently reviewing all the security protocols. For now, they’ve requested that if we’re holding a large gathering, we should alert them so they can make the necessary preparations.)

President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. wants to ensure that all assistance will be given to those Filipinos affected by the festival attack in Vancouver, Canada.

“I am completely shattered to hear about the terrible incident during a Lapu Lapu Day Block Party in Vancouver, BC, Canada,” he earlier said.

“On behalf of the Philippine Government and the Filipino people, Liza and I would like to express our deepest sympathies to the families of the victims and to the strong and thriving Filipino community in Canada,” he added.

An investigation has begun into how and why the deadly incident at the Lapu Lapu Day festival in Vancouver took place, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said on Sunday morning. —KG, GMA Integrated News