Diplomatic ties between PH, Canada to be ‘put to naught’ if trash won’t be returned — Panelo

FILE: President Rodrigo Roa Duterte chats with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau after the Association of Southeast Asia Nations (ASEAN)-Canada 40th Anniversary Commemorative Summit at the Philippine International Convention Center on November 14, 2017. ACE MORANDANTE/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

If Canada fails to take back its tons of trash dumped in the Philippines, the decades-long diplomatic ties between the two countries might be put to risk, Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said on Thursday, April 25.

“The 70 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries will be put to naught if Canada will not act with dispatch and finality the resolution of this undiplomatic episode to which we take outrage,” the spokesman said in a statement.

“That it even considered performing such outlandish disposal of its garbage to an ally is dangerously disruptive of our bilateral relations,” he added.

Panelo said Canada should take their garbage back “pronto” or else the Philippines will “throw them back to its shores.”

“Our stand against its making our country a garbage bin of their waste is non-negotiable. It cannot dilly dally on its getting them back,” he stressed.

President Rodrigo Duterte earlier threatened to declare war against Canada if the latter won’t be able to bring the garbage back by next week.

“They better pull that thing out or I will set sail doon sa Canada ibuhos ko ‘yang basura nila doon (I will dump their trash there),” he said, adding, “Awayin natin ang (Let’s fight) Canada. I will declare war against them. Kaya man natin ‘yan sila (We can handle them anyway).”

Duterte even said he will advise the Canadian government to prepare for a “grand reception” for their trash.

“Eat it if you want to,” he continued.

Canada already responded to Duterte’s remarks, saying that they are committed to working with the Philippine government to resolve the issue. It said that a joint technical working group, which composed of both Philippine and Canadian officials, is “examining the full spectrum of issues related to the removal of the waste with a view to a timely resolution.” Canada, however, did not specifically say when will they get back their trash.

Although it was quick response, Panelo described Canada’s statement as “vague” as it was “not [the] appropriate” answer to Duterte’s strong statement against them.

It was from 2013 to 2014 when about 103 container vans carrying garbage were illegally shipped to Manila from the Canadian soil.

These vans were declared to contain recyclable plastics, but upon inspection by the Bureau of Customs (BOC), it was found that these were actually filled with wastes like plastic bottles, plastic bags, newspapers, household garbage, and used adult diapers.

The said items are considered hazardous wastes as per Republic Act (RA) No. 6969 or the Toxic Substances and Hazardous and Nuclear Waste and Control Act of 1990.