PH recalls ambassador to Canada over missed trash deadline

Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro “Teddy Boy” Locsin Jr. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines has recalled its ambassador to Canada after Ottawa failed to meet the May 15 deadline on shipping back its garbage, Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. said Thursday.

“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. Canada missed the May 15 deadline,” Locsin said in a tweet.

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

— Teddy Locsin Jr. (@teddyboylocsin) May 15, 2019

Locsin said the purpose of the recall is to “maintain a diminished diplomatic presence in Canada until its garbage is ship bound there.”

He said the recall was triggered by Canada not showing up at a meeting with the Bureau of Customs, as relayed to him by the Department of Finance (DOF).

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

“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,” Locsin said.

“At the Japanese enthronement ceremony, DOF informed me that Canada did not show up at a meeting with Customs and that was the trigger,” he added.

Of the 103 garbage-filled containers illegally shipped from Canada to the Philippines in 2013 and 2014, 69 containers remained in the country. (Editor: Cenon B. Bibe Jr.)