(Eagle News)—The Philippines recalled its diplomatic envoys to Canada after the latter missed the May 15 deadline to get back the trash shipped to the Southeast Asian country years ago.
Foreign Affairs Secretary Teddy Locsin said the letters for the recall of the Philippine ambassador and consuls in the North American country were sent out at “midnight last night.”
“They are expected here in a day or so,” he said.
According to Locsin, the Philippines “shall maintain a diminished diplomatic presence” in Canada until the garbage is “ship-bound there.”
He said the “trigger” was when no representative of Canada showed up at a meeting with the Bureau of Customs based on information from the Department of Finance.
“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,” he said.
The garbage, which was shipped to the Philippines six years ago, continues to languish in Manila ports.
