DFA recalls Philippine diplomatic officials in Canada

May 16, 2019

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has ordered the recall of several ranking Philippine officials in Canada after it missed a deadline to retrieve tons of trash it shipped to the Philippines several years ago.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. on Thursday said he downgraded the country’s diplomatic presence in Ottawa following the failure of Canada to meet a May 15 deadline to get its garbage shipped here six years ago.

“Canada missed the May 15 deadline. And we shall maintain a diminished diplomatic presence in Canada until its garbage is ship bound there,” Locsin said, in his account on Twitter.

“At midnight last night, letters for the recall of our ambassador and consuls to Canada went out. They are expected here in a day or so,” he added.

Locsin stressed that even though the Palace appears amenable to a delay in the shipment of garbage to Canada, it does not mean that the deadline has been extended.

Locsin said during the enthronement ceremony for the new Japanese Emperor Naruhito, the Department of Finance informed him that Canada did not show up at a meeting set with the Customs.

“That was the trigger,” Locsin said.

“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. At the Japanese enthronement ceremony, DOF informed me that Canada did not show up at a meeting with Customs and that was the trigger,” Locsin said.

President Rodrigo Duterte earlier criticized Canada over the tons of garbage that were illegally exported to the Philippines in batches in 2013 and 2014.

Canada said they are working with the Philippine government for a "timely resolution" to remove the tons of garbage. DMS