The 69 containers of garbage sent to the Philippines from Canada between 2013 and 2014 has not been shipped out even though the May 15 deadline of the Philippine government has already passed.
Citing information from Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), Malacanang admitted the delay in shipping out the Canadian waste due to processing of documentary requirements.
“According to the DFA, there might be a slight delay because they are still processing documents, documents are being prepared so it might take a little delay. But the most important thing is they are getting it,” Presidential Spokesman and Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador S. Panelo told Palace reporters on Wednesday.
Despite the President’s stern warning for Canada to take its trash immediately, Panelo said the Duterte, a “reasonable man” could tolerate a slight delay which could last for one to three weeks.
Panelo said this would depend on how fast the documentation process will be.
Asked if the Palace is giving a new deadline, Panelo said: “What is important is they already agreed to take their trash out.”
The Canadian government has already expressed commitment to shoulder expenses to ship out all the 69 waste containers it dumped five years ago.
Last week, Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro L. Locsin Jr. said that a DOF functionary was trying to delay the shipping out the garbage, but did not name the person.
Manila has already filed diplomatic protests with Ottawa several times to get back their shipload of garbage since the waste was discovered to contain diapers and other useless and health-threatening trash and not simply electronic refuse.
The Canadian government has since said they had no hand in the shipment as it was a commercial transaction.
Last month, the President ordered the DOF to return the hazardous waste back to Canada immediately or else he would do it by himself.
Should Canada illegally ship hazardous trash to the Philippines anew, Duterte earlier said he would order the Bureau of Customs 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.