Undersecretary Claire Castro reported an incident of alleged harassment by a group of Filipinos while she was on official duty in Vancouver amid President Marcos Jr.'s visit to Canada.
During the official delegation visit of Philippine President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. to Vancouver, Canada, Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Atty. Claire Castro publicly condemned an episode of harassment directed at her by a group of Filipino individuals. Castro recounted that while filming social media content with a colleague, they were approached and confronted with hostile chants urging the president’s resignation. She emphasized that despite freedom of expression, respectful behavior should be maintained, asserting that such rudeness is not representative of Filipino values. Castro and her colleague were accompanied by police officers as they were followed and heckled by the group, who shouted slogans including “BBM resign,” “maleta,” and “magnanakaw” (thief). Expressing concern, Castro noted the uncertainty about the intentions of the group, highlighting the potentially threatening nature of the encounter given the small number of officials present. Meanwhile, President Marcos’s visit also included meetings with Canadian officials and the Filipino Canadian community. The two countries signed agreements on various sectors, including labor and migration, reflecting ongoing diplomatic and economic cooperation. The incident with Castro has drawn attention to the challenges faced even by official government representatives abroad when engaging with diaspora communities.
Sources referenced:
- https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/993734/claire-castro-vancouver-canada/story/
