Mother of Lapu-Lapu Day victim says they have been forgotten

It’s been seven months since the Lapu-Lapu Day tragedy on April 26 that left 11 dead and dozens injured. 

In an exclusive interview with Omni News, Jhosie Sico, mother of AJ Sico, one of the victims who suffered critical injuries in the car ramming attack, is speaking for the first time. 

“They’ve forgotten us already, that we are the victims here,” Sico said in an interview with Omni News.

Sico opens up to Omni News from her son’s room in a care home in Vancouver. 

The room is filled with messages of support from loved ones.

30-year-old AJ Sico lost his ability to speak due to a traumatic brain injury from the Lapu-Lapu Day tragedy.

But AJ can still pose for the camera and happily sings karaoke using some Filipino words to his mom’s surprise.  

“It means that he is on his way to recovery,” Sico said about her son.

This is the first time Sico talks about what happened to AJ and how it’s changed their lives.

“Everything is possible as long as you believe and have faith, a miracle is always there,” she said.

She says the financial support for her son’s recovery is not enough. 

She thanks family and friends for fundraising efforts, but expressed disappointment towards the Lapu-Lapu Day block party organizer, Filipino BC. 

“The organizer said it is a 90-day mandate only, we’re supposed to get help, but AJ is still in critical condition. How can they say that to us? That’s the only help that we are allowed to get; that’s a slap on our face,” Sico said.

In a statement sent to Omni News, Filipino BC said, “Ongoing recovery cannot rely solely on public generosity.”

They say they have called on governments to provide funding for sustainable support for hundreds of people impacted by the April 26 tragedy. 

United Way BC says it has collected funds for the Kapwa Strong Fund, and Filipino BC adds that more than $2 million has been received and distributed to more than 40 charities providing urgent and long-term assistance. 

“If they want to do some fundraising, don’t use the Lapu-Lapu Day tragedy anymore. If the victim can’t get any help, that’s unfair. We are the victims, and we are still victims right now,” Sico said.

Though Christmas will be different this year, Sico remains optimistic.

She says each day that AJ is in good spirits is already a miracle.

“I love him so much; this fight is for all of us and for him especially. I want him to know that we never stopped loving him,” Sico said.