MANILA – Malacañang was hopeful the diplomatic ties between the Philippines and Canada will go back to normal following the return of tons of Canadian wastes illegally exported to the country.
Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo on Thursday said the return of the garbage might signal the reinstatement of the recalled Philippine embassy officials in Canada.
“Well, if the reason for the recall of embassy officials was the trash, then if the trash has been brought back, so there’s no more reason ‘di ba? That’s the logic,” Panelo said.
A total of 103 containers of Canadian wastes, consisting of household trash, plastic bottles and bags, newspapers, and used adult diapers, were shipped to Manila in batches.
Chronic Plastics Inc., the consignee of the trash shipment, was accused of violating Republic Act 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act and the 1995 Basel convention on the transboundary movement of hazardous wastes and disposal.
President Rodrigo Duterte recently ordered the return of Canada’s trash that was exported to the Philippines in 2013 and 2014.
Following weeks of inaction, the Philippines issued a ban on government trips to Canada and recalled its ambassador and consuls to Ottawa in light of the long-simmering conflict over garbage. /PN
