PRESIDENT Duterte has ordered the Department of Finance (DOF) to return the rotting hazardous waste dumped by Canada in the country five years ago back to Ontario immediately next week or else, he would do it by himself.
Duterte made the pronouncement at the tailend of the situation briefing on the effects of the 6.1-magnitude earthquake in Region III on Tuesday evening.
Before the end of the briefing, Duterte was looking for officials from DOF, which overseas the Bureau of Customs (BOC), to give the marching order.
“The garbage of Canada, I want a boat prepared and give a warning to Canada, maybe next week that they better pull that thing out or I will set sail to Canada and dump their garbage back there,” he said during the briefing which was attended by Cabinet Secretaries and other government officials.
“I cannot understand why they are making us a dumpsite. And that is not the only case in point – it has been a series of garbage [shipments] being sent to us,” he added.
About 103 containers of Canadian waste comprising household trash, newspapers, used adult diapers, among others were illegally shipped in batches to the country in batches in 2013 to 2014.
The trash have been rotting since then in Manila and Subic docks.
Should Canada illegally ship hazardous trash to the Philippines anew, Duterte said he would order the BOC to not allow any ships from them to dock in Philippine ports.
The chief executive also issued a dire warning that he will declare war against Canada if they would not take action on the trash they dumped in the Philippines.
“Load those trash in a boat, load it in containers then load in a ship, and I willl advise Canada that your garbage is on the way,” Duterte said.
“Prepare a grand reception and eat it if you want. I will not allow that to happen to my country. I will not allow that kind of shit in our country. Sumusobra na itong Canada [This Canada is abusing us],” he added.
Duterte quipped before he adjourned the briefing that he would order five truckloads of the Canadian waste to be dumped inside Ontario’s embassy in Manila.
“They even extend educational grants [to us] but on the condition that we will accept their shit and their garbage,” he said.”I would not agree to that. That’s why you better load those garbage and return them . . . to Canada. I will tell Canada to prepare and celebrate because your garbage is coming home,” he added.