Rodolfo Urbano puts a lit candle at a vigil at 41st and Fraser street in Vancouver on April 27, 2025, a day after a car drove into a crowd during the Lapu Lapu Festival. The suspect in the Canadian car-ramming attack left 11 dead. Don MacKinnon, AFP MANILA -- Leaders of the House of Representatives are grieving with the relatives of victims in the car-ramming attack at a Filipino festival in Vancouver. 

House Speaker Martin Romualdez said the lower chamber is ready to extend assistance to Filipinos affected by the tragedy.

“Today, our hearts grieve with our Filipino community in Vancouver. What was supposed to be a day of joy — a day to celebrate our heroes, our heritage, and the spirit that binds us as one Filipino family — turned into a day of heartbreak… Ramdam po namin ang inyong sakit. Sa bawat tahanang Pilipino ngayon, may pakikiramay, may pagdarasal, at may pagdamay,” Romualdez said in a statement.

“As Speaker of the House of Representatives, I want our kababayans in Canada to know: Hindi kayo nag-iisa. We are one with you in mourning, and we stand ready to help in any way we can,” he added.

“To the families who lost loved ones, to those who are hurting, and to every Filipino touched by this tragedy — you are in our thoughts and in our prayers. The House of Representatives stands with you. Buong bayan, buong puso ang aming pakikiramay at pagdamay,” the House Speaker noted.

Romualdez said he has communicated with consular officials to ensure that affected Filipinos are given “support, protection, and justice”.

“I also call on the Canadian authorities to exhaust every means to bring those responsible to account and to strengthen measures that ensure the safety of all, especially our Filipino community,” the House Speaker also said.

House Deputy Majority Leader and La Union 1st District Rep. Paolo Ortega, meanwhile, strongly condemned the attack.

“No celebration of our identity, our heroes, and our heritage should ever be marred by such violence. The Lapu-Lapu Day festival is a symbol of Filipino courage and resilience, and that spirit will never be broken,” Ortega said.

“This tragedy will not define us. Our history, our heroes, and our people are far stronger than fear,” he added.

The lawmaker thanked Canadian authorities for their “swift action” in apprehending the suspect and called for a thorough investigation to ensure justice for the victims.

“We trust that the authorities will bring those responsible to account. Justice must be served,” Ortega said.

He called on the Filipino community worldwide to respond to the tragedy with unity and courage.

“In the face of this darkness, we must shine even brighter. Let us honor the memories of those we lost by continuing to celebrate the rich, vibrant culture they came together to uphold. Let us respond with hope, solidarity, and unwavering pride in who we are,” Ortega stressed.

“We mourn with our Filipino-Canadian brothers and sisters. We stand united in grief and in prayer for the victims of this senseless act of violence,” he added.

House Deputy Minority Leader and ACT Teachers Party List Representative France Castro also expressed condolences to the family of the victims.

“Nakikiramay ako doon sa mga kababayan natin, mga pamilya ng kababayan natin na nasaktan dyan… Matulungan sana ng ating gobyerno ‘yung ating mga kababayan na namatayan. At least manlang mapauwi dito ang kanilang mga labi, at matulungan ang pamilya,” she said.

Suspect in car attack on Filipino festival named, charged with second degree murder

At least 11 people were killed, and several others were injured when a 30-year-old male driver rammed his vehicle into a crowd who gathered for the Lapu-Lapu Festival over the weekend. 

Police said the suspect, Kai-Ji Adam Lo, 30, a Vancouver resident, has been charged with eight counts of second degree murder by the BC Prosecution Service.

Lo was arrested at the scene by Vancouver Police after bystanders and witnesses intervened to detain him.