FACT CHECK: Claire Castro not banned from Canada

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The misleading video surfaced after Palace Press Officer Claire Castro was confronted by protesters during Marcos' visit to Vancouver

Claim: Palace Press Officer Claire Castro has been banned from Canada after being criticized by Canada’s prime minister. 

Rating: FALSE

Why we fact-checked this: A YouTube video uploaded by Boses ng Bayan PH on July 4 is titled “Ante Kler, ban na sa Canada? Grabe minister ng Canada galit din kay Kler?” 

(Is [Claire Castro] banned from Canada? Even a Canadian minister is furious at her?)

Its thumbnail prominently features a photo of Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney sporting an agitated facial expression, alongside Castro, who appears to be in tears.

As of writing, the video has garnered over 6,100 views and 743 likes.

The facts: There is no evidence that Castro has been banned from Canada or that any Canadian minister publicly criticized her. No Canadian government agency or official, including Carney, has announced that Castro is not welcome to enter the country or issued a statement condemning her.

The misleading video surfaced following Castro’s visit to Vancouver as part of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s official delegation during his four-day working visit to Canada. During the visit, Marcos met with Carney, where the two leaders discussed agreements on energy, labor mobility, tourism, and migration.

While in Vancouver, Castro was heckled by a group of Filipino protesters while she and a colleague were filming videos. Some of the protesters called for Marcos’ resignation and called Castro “maleta” (luggage) and “magnanakaw” (thief). Castro later said she felt uneasy due to the encounter. (READ: In Vancouver, a protest not just for Marcos, but for Castro, too)

For further investigation: Following the incident, the Department of Foreign Affairs said it was coordinating with Canadian authorities to clarify the circumstances surrounding the confrontation and review the security arrangements during the presidential visit. 

Castro said she did not file a formal complaint against the protesters, adding that while protesters are welcome to voice out their views, there was no need to be disrespectful. – Cyril Bocar/Rappler.com

Efren Cyril Bocar is a journalist from Llorente, Eastern Samar who graduated with a degree in English Language Studies at the Visayas State University. Cyril is also a graduate of the Aries Rufo Journalism Fellowship of Rappler for 2024. 

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