Take back trash or face war, Philippines president Duterte tells Canada

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      The president of the Philippines has threatened to declare war on Canada over garbage.

      Philippine media outlets are reporting that Rodrigo Duterte has given Canada one week to take back trash that was shipped by an Ontario company to the Philippines.

      “Let’s quarrel with Canada. I will declare war against them,” Duterte said in mixed Tagalog and English remarks Tuesday (April 23).

      “We can face them. I’ll really return that trash. Just wait. Load that up on a ship and I will advise Canada that your garbage is on the way. Prepare a grand reception. Eat it if you want to.”

      Justin Trudeau told Duterte during the Canadian prime minister’s visit in Manila in 2017 that his government is trying to find a solution.

      Philippine customs authorities intercepted 103 containers of mixed garbage from Canada declared as recyclable scrap plastics in 2013 and 2014. The shipments included household and electronic wastes.

      “I want a boat prepared,” Duterte said in remarks in Pampanga, a province that was recently struck by a deadly earthquake. “I’ll give a warning to Canada maybe next week that they better pull that thing out or I will set sail.”

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