MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has sought a probe into the reported harassment of Palace Press Officer Claire Castro by some Filipinos during the visit of President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. to Vancouver, Canada last week.
Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro has instructed the Philippine Embassy in Ottawa and the Philippine Consulate General in Vancouver to "coordinate with Canadian authorities in determining the specifics of the incident."
Videos of the confrontation circulated on social media wherein the protesters were shown stalking Castro and even cursed her.
In a statement on Wednesday, the DFA said Lazaro has directed the embassy to determine "the applicable laws and security protocols covering visiting foreign dignitaries."
Castro on Tuesday said the Philippine delegation did not file any complaint against the Filipino protesters who heckled her as government respects the protesters’ right to free speech.
However, the Presidential Communications Office undersecretary admitted that she was initially surprised by the protesters' rude behavior but said she chose to ignore the incident.
