Palace press officer calls for respect amid political differences after heckling incident in Canada

MANILA, Philippines — Palace Press Officer Claire Castro called for respect amid political differences after she was heckled by protesters while covering President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s official engagements in Canada, where he is currently on a four-day official visit. In a video interview on Friday, July 3, Castro said they were producing social media reels for the president’s engagements when a Filipino approached them and suddenly shouted political remarks. “Nahinto ’yun. Hindi na kami nakapagtapos ng aming pag-shoot ng reels dahil nga may mga Pilipino, ganito ’yung ugali,” Castro said. (It was stopped. We were no longer able to finish shooting our reels because there were Filipinos like this, this kind of behavior.) She said the situation escalated when the individual allegedly told her to tell Marcos to resign. Castro also said a group of Filipinos allegedly followed them and continued to confront them, hurling political accusations and personal insults, including calling her “pangit” and “sinungaling” (liar), which she dismissed. “Hindi ko alam kung mananakit sila or what. Kasi parang siguro ‘yung grupo naman nila parang kung sino man yung ini-idolo nila, parang sanay sa bayolente,” she said. (I don’t know if they intended to hurt us or what. It just felt like maybe their group, whoever they idolize, seems used to violence.) While acknowledging freedom of expression, Castro said that it should not cross into disrespect. “May freedom of expression tayo pero hindi naman kailangang maging bastos. Pilipino kayo, hindi naman ganyan ang ugali ng mga Pilipino eh,” Castro said. (We have freedom of expression, but there is no need to be rude. You are Filipinos, that is not how Filipinos should behave.) Asked if she felt threatened, Castro said she was with only one companion at the time, a director holding the camera, and that the situation made her uneasy. Castro said they later coordinated with police officers they encountered after crossing the street, as the group reportedly trailed them. She appealed for civility among Filipinos despite political disagreements, saying they were in Canada for work. “Hindi kami nagbabakasyon dito. We’re just doing our job,” she said. (We are not here on vacation. We’re just doing our job.) “Kung ganyan talaga ang magiging ugali ng Pilipino, hindi kayo uunlad. So kawawa pa rin kayo,” Castro added. (If that is really going to be the behavior of Filipinos, you will not progress. In the end, you will just end up pitiful.) Castro is part of the Philippine delegation accompanying Marcos on his four-day official visit to Canada. The incident took place during Marcos’ visit to Vancouver, where he met Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney. The two leaders elevated Philippines-Canada relations into a strategic partnership, alongside agreements on defense, labor, energy, tourism, and natural resources, and renewed efforts to finalize a free trade deal before the end of the year.