Malacañang said yesterday that President Duterte’s warning that he will wage war against Canada over their garbage shipped to the Philippines almost six years ago was just a figure of speech but emphasized that the Chief Executive was serious in sending their trash back.
Presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo said that Duterte is angry that six years have already passed but Canada still has not taken back their garbage.
However, he said the President was not serious with his threat to go to war.
“It’s just a figure of speech… Kumbaga inaasar lang ‘yun. But by statement, we will send them back to your shores if you don’t get that,” he said. “Ang tagal na noon…Hindi pa nila ginagalaw. Parang pinabayaan na lang nila dito, eh,” he added.
Panelo also said that Duterte’s warning that he will dump Canada’s garbage on their beautiful beaches is another figure of speech. “Figure of speech din ‘yun. Basta ibabalik lang ‘yun. Kailangang ibalik na ‘yun. Kunin na nila,” he said.
Panelo said Duterte is serious that Canada should collect their garbage within the week. He added that they expect Canada to make a statement but insisted that it is time for them to finally get their trash.
“I suppose they will respond. Nag-respond naman sila na, ‘di ba? Ang sabi nila, pag-usapan natin. Ang sabi naman namin, hindi na, anong pag-usapan? Ang tagal na, kunin niyo na iyan. Kung hindi, ibalik namin iyan sa iyo,” he said. (Argyll Geducos)