Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro said she experienced harassment from a group of protesters in Vancouver, Canada, while covering President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s official visit.
Speaking to reporters, Castro said she and Presidential Communications Office Director Robertzon Ramirez were filming social media content when a group of Filipinos approached them.
According to Castro, one person asked if she was the Palace official before shouting, “You ask your President to resign.”
Castro said the group then surrounded them while they were working.
“Kinuyog na kami samantalang kung tutuusin, kami nagtatrabaho. Hindi kami nagbabakasyon dito, we’re just doing our job,” she said.
Videos circulating on social media showed Castro and Ramirez walking with police officers as protesters carrying a bullhorn shouted at them in Filipino.
Castro said she was unsure whether the group was affiliated with any organization but noted they were chanting slogans such as “BBM resign,” “maleta,” and “magnanakaw.”
While acknowledging people’s right to freedom of expression, Castro said there was no need for protesters to be disrespectful.
“May freedom of expression tayo pero hindi naman kailangan maging bastos. Pilipino kayo, hindi naman ganyan ang ugali ng mga Pilipino,” she said.
Asked whether she felt threatened, Castro said she did to some extent because only the two of them were present and she did not know whether the protesters might turn violent.
“Dalawa lang kami, ‘di ko alam kung mananakit sila or what,” Castro said.
She added that such behavior does not reflect Filipino values and urged fellow Filipinos to remain respectful despite political differences.
President Marcos and the Philippine delegation were welcomed by both supporters and protesters during a Filipino community gathering in Vancouver.
One group called for accountability over the alleged flood control corruption controversy in the Philippines, while another smaller group expressed support for the President by chanting “BBM” and flashing the “V” sign.
Marcos arrived in Vancouver on Thursday for an official visit, where he met Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney for bilateral talks.
The Philippines and Canada signed agreements on energy, tourism, labor, and migration during the visit.
The two countries also continue to strengthen defense cooperation following the signing of the Status of Visiting Forces Agreement (SOVFA) in November 2025, which provides the legal framework for joint military exercises.
Marcos likewise met with members of the Filipino community in Canada, now numbering nearly one million.
