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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider 'Part of the job': No complaint filed vs Filipino protesters in Canada

'Part of the job': No complaint filed vs Filipino protesters in Canada

Published Jul 7, 2026 02:00 pm
Palace Press Officer and Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro (Betheena Unite)
Palace Press Officer and Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro (Betheena Unite)
No formal complaint was filed against "disrespectful" Filipino protesters, who harassed Palace Press Officer and Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro during President Marcos' official visit to Canada last week.
In an interview on Tuesday, July 7, Castro said they decided not to pursue any legal action against the protesters, saying it was part of their job.
"Wala kaming finile na complaint (We did not file any complaint)," Castro said on the sidelines of the unveiling of the 100 national mural finalists for the WPS Mural Festival 2026 in Manila.
She explained that they view it as part of their job, but pointed out that she was not expecting such behavior from Filipinos overseas.
"Sa'min siguro dahil parte, pero hindi lang namin inaashan na magiging ganun kawalang galang ang mga Pilipino na nandodoon sa ibang bansa (For us, it's just part of the job. We just never expected Filipinos living abroad to behave in such a disrespectful manner)," Castro said.
The Palace spokesperson said they respect the people's right to free speech, "but not to the extent of wishing for someone's death."
"Sabi nga natin, pwede naman magsalita pero wag lang yung ipapanalangin na mamatay ang isang tao at mumurahin ka ng ilang beses (As I've said, people are free to express their opinions, but wishing for someone's death and repeatedly hurling insults at them crosses the line)," she said.
"Hindi kasi ganun yung ugali ng totoong Pilipino na alam natin, hindi tayo ganun, e (That's not the character of the true Filipino we know. That's not who we are)," she added.
She also said that the protest action against her and another Palace officer put the Philippines in a bad light.
"So, di namin alam kung may kumukumpas sa kanila o may nagbabayad sa kanila. Pero ang masakit dun, kami hindi kami naapi e; ang naapi rito ang bansang Pilipinas kasi pinakita nila kung anong klaseng Pilipino sila (So we don't know if someone is directing them or even paying them). But what hurts the most is that we weren't really the ones who were wronged. It was the Philippines that was put in a bad light because they showed the kind of Filipinos they chose to be)," Castro said.
The Palace mouthpiece said they have neither tried to identify the protesters, nor asked for updates about them.
"Hindi rin, hanggnag ngayon. Ilang araw na lumipas, hindi
ko inaalam kung sino sila (No, not even now. Several days have already passed, and I haven't tried to find out who they are)," Castro said.
"May nakita lang kasi na mga pictues nila, siguro yung mga kapwa natin Pilipino na concern, sila yung naglabas ng mga pictures nila, so on our part wala talaga (I only saw some of their pictures because, I guess, fellow Filipinos who were concerned were the ones who shared them. But on our part, we really haven't done anything)," she added.
Castro was approached and allegedly harassed by Filipino protesters while filming a video about the President's visit to Canada.

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