DFA probes harassment of Castro in Canada

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has launched an inquiry into the reported harassment of Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary Claire Castro during President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s recent official visit to Canada.

Foreign Affairs spokesperson Analyn Ratonel said that DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro has directed the Philippine Embassy in Ottawa and the Philippine Consulate General in Vancouver to coordinate with Canadian authorities to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident.

The investigation will also look into the applicable laws and security protocols governing the protection of visiting foreign dignitaries, Ratonel said.

The move came after a video circulated on social media showing individuals believed to be Filipino protesters following and confronting Castro while she was in Vancouver.

Despite the incident, Castro said she would not pursue legal action against those involved.

She said she respects the protesters’ right to express their views, although she admitted being initially taken aback by what she described as their rude behavior.

Castro added that she chose to ignore the confrontation and move on from the incident.