4 December 2003 – Foreign Affairs Secretary Blas F. Ople today express his grave concern over the death of 17-year old Mao Jomar Lanot and instructed the Philippine Consulate General in Vancouver to monitor the situation and work closely with local authorities and the Filipino community to help ensure the safety of Filipinos and Filipino-Canadians in Vancouver.

“The circumstances of the death of Mao Jomar cause us some concern.  The investigation continues and it is our hope that justice will be done.  If there is indeed a racial dimension to this case, then it is also our hope that measures will be taken by the authorities to prevent this from happening again to anyone,” Secretary Ople said.

Mao Jomar Lanot moved with his brother to Canada last year from the Philippines, joining their mother, who earlier took a job abroad to support her children.

“We extend our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Mao Jomar and pray that they will be given the strength to overcome this ordeal,” the Secretary said.

Police and school officials have refused to call the attack racially motivated, although a police spokesman said that racial slurs were called out before Jomar Lanot and three friends were chased by a group of Indo-Canadian teenagers.  Investigators allege Lanot, who was at the tail end of the fleeing group, was severely beaten.  He died hours later in the hospital.  END.