Manila downgraded diplomatic ties with Ottawa to express dismay over what it felt was utter disregard to President Rodrigo Duterte’s demand to bring back tons trash illegally dumped in the Philippines from Canada.
Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. said he has ordered the recall of Philippine Ambassador Petronila Garcia and all high ranking Embassy and Consulate officials after Canada failed to send a representative to discuss how to facilitate the shipment of garbage on May 15, the deadline imposed by the Philippine government.
“Canada missed the May 15 deadline. And we shall maintain a diminished diplomatic presence in Canada until its garbage is ship bound there,” Locsin said on Twitter.
Locsin said the recall order was sent to Ambassador Garcia midnight last night or noontime Canada time.
“They (diplomats) are expected here in a day or so,” he added.
The DFA secretary noted that even though Malacañang seems amenable to a delay in the shipment of garbage back to Canada, it does not mean that the deadline has been extended.
He said during the Japanese emperor enthronement ceremony, the Department of Finance informed him that Canada did not show up at a meeting set with the Customs
“That was the trigger,” Locsin said.
Duterte earlier dissed Canada over the tons of garbage that were illegally exported to the Philippines in batches in 2013 and 2014.
Duterte figuratively expressed his anger over the shipped garbage by threatening to go to war with Canada.
Canada, meanwhile, said they are already working with the Philippine government for a “timely resolution” to remove the tons of Canadian garbage in the country.
PHOTO CREDIT: ADRIAN WYLD / THE CANADIAN PRESS
