Duterte's threat of war on Canada should be taken seriously, Locsin says
MANILA, Philippines — Following his order to recall Philippine diplomats, Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. said President Rodrigo Duterte's pronouncements against Canada should be taken seriously.
The president earlier threatened to declare war on Canada if it does not take back the containers of garbage that a private company shipped to the Philippines illegally between 2013 and 2014.
While presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo said Duterte's remarks on the North American country were just a "figure of speech," the Philippines' top diplomat said otherwise.
"When the President speaks as he did to the extent of 'declaring war on Canada' for its garbage here, he is to be take seriously and not metaphorically; at least I do because I do not think I know better than he does. Some of his officials do," Locsin said on Twitter Thursday morning.
When the President speaks as he did to the extent of "declaring war on Canada" for its garbage here, he is to be taken seriously and not metaphorically; at least I do because I do not think I know better than he does. Some of his officials do. https://t.co/4QO2QUG9mk
— Teddy Locsin Jr. (@teddyboylocsin) May 16, 2019
Citing Canada's failure to meet its May 15 deadline to take back the remaining 69 containers of trash from the Philippines, Locsin sent letters to recall the Philippine ambassador and consuls to the North American country.
"And we shall maintain a diminished diplomatic presence in Canada until its garbage is ship bound there," Locsin tweeted.
On May 1, Locsin also tweeted that the garbage illegally shipped to the Philippines six years ago would be sent back to Canada in 15 days.
The DFA chief stressed that while the Philippine government may consider up to three weeks of delay, this does not mean that the deadline is extended.
Locsin also revealed that what triggered him to recall the country's diplomats in Canada was the latter's failure to show up at a meeting with the Bureau of Customs.
That the government may consider a 2 to 3 week delay DOES NOT EXTEND THE DEADLINE. Our diplomatic presence in Canada shall be de minimis. At the Japanese enthronement ceremony, DOF informed me that Canada did not show up at a meeting with Customs and that was the trigger.
— Teddy Locsin Jr. (@teddyboylocsin) May 16, 2019
A private Canadian company shipped more than 100 containers of household waste to Manila in 2013 and 2014 and have since stayed. (Bureau of Customs photo)
Foreign Affairs Secretary Teddy Locsin Jr. tells pulled out envoys in Canada to return to their posts following the repatriation of the 69 containers of trash to the North American country.
"To our recalled posts, get your flights back. Thanks and sorry for the trouble you went through to drive home a point," Locsin says in a tweet.
One more tweet.
— Teddy Locsin Jr. (@teddyboylocsin) May 31, 2019
To our recalled posts, get your flights back. Thanks and sorry for the trouble you went through to drive home a point.
Arrevederci!
And thank you
Canada CDA Mucci.
I always end with a rhyme.
The ship M/V Bavaria leaves the Philippines to return to Canada the 69 containers of toxic waste after six years.
The ship tasked to transport the garbage arrived at the Subic Bay Freeport at 2:40 p.m. Thursday.
Trash from Canada will be shipped back on Thursday, Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra says in a statement to reporters.
Guevarra has been designated officer-in-charge in the absence of President Rodrigo Duterte, who is in Japan for an official visit.
"The cost of reshipment from Manila to Vancouver, estimated at P10 million, will be shouldered by the Canadian government. The container vans will be loaded on vessels owned by three shipping companies," he also says.
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