Australia trash ‘offends’ Philippines

Presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo. INQUIRER file photo

MANILA, Philippines  — The Philippines is “offended” over the reported dumping of garbage from Australia, Malacañang said Thursday.

“It will be offensive to this government to be a recipient of trash or ‘basura.’ We are offended by that. We will not allow it. We’ll send them back,” Presidential Spokesperson Panelo said.

A GMA News report said that several containers of garbage from Australia were put on hold at the  Mindanao Container Terminal in Misamis Oriental.

The issue on the Australian trash comes as the Philippines is attempting to send back the tons of garbage from Canada, which was illegally shipped to the Philippines six years ago.

Panelo on Wednesday said Duterte was “so upset” and ordered the ordered the return of the tons of garbage to Ottawa “immediately” even if the Philippines has to shoulder the cost.

READ: Duterte orders ‘immediate’ return of Canada trash; Philippines to shoulder cost

“Obviously, Canada is not taking this issue nor our country seriously. The Filipino people are gravely insulted about Canada treating this country as a dumpsite,” he said in a Palace briefing. (Editor: Julie Espinosa)