Malacañang has assured that the Aquino administration is pursuing all possible options to expel from Philippine territory 50 vans of toxic trash from Canada, including parallel negotiations between the two governments and between the private parties involved in what officials called a “commercial transaction.”
Asked if the Palace is taking action to pinpoint liabilities against those responsible for allowing the 50 vans of Canadian trash to be dumped here, Palace’s Spokesman Edwin Lacierda confirmed the government had already set in motion an interagency effort to look into the matter, verify violations of Philippine laws and return the shipment to its port of origin.
In a text message to the BusinessMirror, Lacierda cited a statement from his counterpart at the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), who said the private transaction “may have violated Philippine laws,” meaning sanctions can be imposed against erring parties involved. Lacierda said that according to Foreign Affairs Spokesman Charles Jose, “this is a commercial transaction between a Philippine importer and a Canadian exporter, a transaction that may have violated Philippine laws.”
Jose reported to the Palace official that “the matter is being dealt with through an inter-agency effort with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources as the lead.”
The DFA spokesman also informed Lacierda that a case had already been filed with the Department of Justice against the Philippine importer who is now the subject of a preliminary investigation by DOJ probers. “While the legal case runs its course, the practical problems arising from the presence of these unwanted containers at the port area are being dealt with through anb interagency effort,” Jose added.
He assured that the DFA was also giving its full support to the interagency process, “particularly in coordinating with the Canadian government” to facilitate final disposition of the unwanted shipment from Canada.
Asked if interagency officials have already secured a firm commitment from the Canadian government to help the Philippines get rid of the toxic cargo, Lacierda quoted an assurance from the DFA that “we are looking at and considering all possible options to resolve this issue.”