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Why raise the issue of alleged extra-judicial killings (EJKs) when Canada has yet to offer a “tangible solution” for the tons of trash that has long been stranded in the Philippines?
This was how Senate Majority Leader Vicente “Tito” Sotto III reacted on Wednesday to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s statement that Canada is concerned over the reported EJKS in the country.
“I think the Canadian Prime Mister should comment on a much relevant issue that Canada needs to answer for,” Sotto said in a statement.
“It is not acceptable that until now he cannot offer a tangible solution for the tons of garbage still rotting in our port.”
“Stop evading your country’s responsibility by bringing up an issue that is highly debatable,” the senator added.
While in the Philippines for the just recently concluded Asean summit, Trudeau said he was able to discuss the garbage issue with Philippine President Duterte.
“I know it has been a long-standing irritant and I committed to him (Duterte), and I’m happy to commit to all of you now that Canada is very much engaged in finding a solution on that,” the Prime Minister said at a press conference on Tuesday.
He was referring to a total of 55 container vans stuffed with garbage from Canada that were discovered by Customs authorities in the Manila seaport four years ago.
Aside from the trash issue, Trudeau said he also raised Canada’s concern over the reported EJKs in the Philippines.
“I emphasized the people-to-people ties between Canada and the Philippines and the great connection there but I also mentioned human rights, the rule of law, specifically the extrajudicial killings being an issue Canada is concerned with,” he said.
READ: Trudeau to Duterte: Canada ‘concerned’ over EJK issue
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