B.C. Filipino community devastated by the ‘senseless tragedy’ at Lapu Lapu event

Editor’s note: Resources for those who are experiencing trauma or require support are listed at the bottom of this story.

The Filipino community across British Columbia is still reeling after Saturday night’s tragedy in Vancouver that saw at least 11 people killed and multiple others injured.

Shortly after 8 p.m. near East 43rd Avenue and Fraser Street, a man drove into a crowd at the Filipino Lapu Lapu Day street festival in Vancouver.

Mable Elmore, MLA for Vancouver-Kensington, says the community is “collectively shattered.”

“I just want to say my message to everyone, to those in the Filipino community, the broader community, we are in incredible pain,” Elmore said.

“The Filipino community will show true resilience, and we will come together out of this catastrophe, with the support and the love from the broad community, from all of you in the public across British Columbia, around the world, who have expressed support. So my heartfelt appreciation.”

FilipinoBC, the organization that put on the event, says it is devastated for families and victims.

“We are still finding the words to express the deep heartbreak brought on by this senseless tragedy,” the group said, encouraging all community members to “check in, support, and hold each other.”

“Do not hesitate to access resources available,” it said.

“You are not alone.”

This morning, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said on Facebook he is “shattered” to hear about the tragedy at the Lapu Lapu event.

The president says his government and country’s residents are one with the families of the victims and Vancouver’s Filipino community.

— With files from Charlie Cary and The Canadian Press

In a press conference Sunday morning, VPD Interim Chief Steve Rai said a 24-hour assistance centre has been set up at the Douglas Park Community Centre at 801 West 22nd Avenue.

“Police officers and victim service professionals have been deployed to help anyone and all who have been impacted,” Rai said.

Anyone who has not been able to contact a loved one who was at the Lapu Lapu festival can reach out to a Victim Liaison officer at 604-717-3321, police said.

Resources for those experiencing trauma or who require support

A 24-hour assistance centre has been set up at the Douglas Park Community Centre at 801 West 22nd Avenue.

VPD Victim Liaison Officer: 604-717-3321.

Victim Services — available 24/7 by calling or texting 1-800-563-0808 or email 211-victimlinkbc@uwbc.ca.

310 Mental Health Line: 310-6789

Crisis Line: 1-800-784-2433

A Google Doc has been created by a group of local members of the Filipino community, listing emergency response resources. The members are not associated with any organizations. That Google Doc can be accessed here.

A Filipino Emergency Response website has been set up. This includes forms for support requests and a list of community spaces and gatherings. It also lists more resources. That can be accessed here.