Philippines recalls envoys after Canada misses deadline for garbage shipment

Pia Ranada

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Philippines recalls envoys after Canada misses deadline for garbage shipment

Rappler

(3rd UPDATE) The Philippines will 'maintain a diminished diplomatic presence' in Canada until its garbage is removed from the Philippines, says Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr

MANILA, Philippines (3rd UPDATE) – The Philippines has recalled on Wednesday, May 15,  its ambassador and consuls to Canada after the Canadian government failed to begin shipping back its garbage which was dumped here back in 2013.

This was announced by Philippine Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr through a tweet on Thursday morning, May 16.


  

“At midnight last night, letters for the recall of our ambassador and consuls to Canada went out. They are expected here in a day or so,” he said.

“Canada missed the May 15 deadline. And we shall maintain a diminished diplomatic presence in Canada until its garbage is ship bound there,” he continued.

 This is the week when Philippine ambassadors are scheduled to return to the country as they bring the votes of overseas voters to the Commission on Elections.

Among the ambassadors spotted at the Philippine International Convention Center on Wednesday, May 15, were Ambassador to Malaysia Charles Jose and Ambassador to Israel Neal Imperial.

On Wednesday, Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo made no mention of any plans to recall diplomats in Canada when he spoke of updates about the shipping back of the smuggled trash.

“According to the DFA (Department of Foreign Affairs), there might be a slight delay because of processing, documents are being prepared so it might take a little longer. The important thing is, they are taking it,” he had told reporters.

Panelo had then surmised that the shipment of the trash might begin in “one to two weeks.”


   

‘Serious’ intent

In a news briefing on Thursday, Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said the action of the government showed its intent to get Canada to retrieve its trash.

Panelo reiterated the President’s position that Canada’s failure to do so would mean the “end of our relations.”

“That recall shows that we are very serious in asking to get back their garbage. Otherwise, we’re going to sever relations with them,” he said.

Panelo added that the recall order is meant “to persuade them [Canada] to make it fast.”

“The more they delay, the more personnel will be coming back,” he said.

When asked, Panelo said he was not aware of the reason for the delay. He also expressed confidence that the Philippine government’s actions would not have any adverse effects on Filipinos in Canada.

The Canadian government had committed to ship back the garbage from Philippine soil and to shoulder the costs of doing so.

Last April 23, Duterte threatened “war” against Canada if they did remove the container vans of garbage from the Philippines. He also threatened to send back the garbage himself. – With a report from Paterno Esmaquel II/Rappler.com

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Pia Ranada

Pia Ranada is Rappler’s Community Lead, in charge of linking our journalism with communities for impact.