Stop exploitation of Vancouver tragedy

The Philippine Consulate in Vancouver, Canada, is warning the public against deceptive fundraising efforts by unscrupulous individuals who are trying to exploit the tragic incident that befell the Filipino-Canadian community after a speeding car rammed a crowd celebrating the Lapulapu festival.

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This is the height of exploitation, abuse, and irresponsibility.

Exploiting the tragedy that left at least 11 dead and dozens injured for personal gain is a reprehensible act that should be condemned in the strongest possible terms. As the Filipino-Canadian community in Vancouver grapples with grief and loss from this heart breaking incident that has left families mourning and an entire community shaken, some unscrupulous individuals still have the temerity to twist this grief into profit. What a shame, what a detestable act. Under the guise of compassion, they have launched fake GoFundMe campaigns, posing as benevolent helpers, while siphoning into their own pockets money intended for the suffering victims and their families.

This is not purely a scam, this is betrayal in the highest order—a betrayal of the very ideals that bind the Filipino spirit: bayanihan, empathy, and solidarity in times of loss.