Pres. Duterte Disappointed on Canada’s Delay of Shipping Back Garbage

The Philippines’ Office of the Presidential Spokesperson issued a new statement saying that President Rodrigo Roa Duterte is upset about the delay of Canada in shipping back its containers of garbage.

We are extremely disappointed with Canada’s neither here nor there pronouncement on the matter. Obviously Canada is not taking this issue nor our country seriously. The Filipino people are gravely insulted about Canada treating this country as a dumpsite.

As a result of this offending delay, the President has instructed the appropriate office to look for a private shipping company which will bring back Canada’s trash to the latter’s jurisdiction. The government of the Philippines will shoulder all expenses. And we do not mind.

If Canada will not accept their trash, we will leave the same within its territorial waters or 12 nautical miles out to sea from the baseline of any of their country’s shores.

The President’s stance is principled as it is uncompromising. The Philippines as an independent sovereign nation must not be treated as trash by other foreign nations. We hope this message resonates well with the other countries of the world.

Salvador S. Panelo
Chief Presidential Legal Counsel
& Presidential Spokesperson

Over 100 containers of Canadian waste were shipped to Manila between 2013 and 2014 . The containers consist of household trash, plastic bottles and bags, newspapers, and used adult diapers. They were labelled as recycling.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said that the government is working “very closely” with Philippine officials to resolve the issue, adding that “we very much hope to get to a resolution shortly.”