Duterte trumpets Canada garbage disposal, Balangiga bells return among foreign policy feats

President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday heralded his administration's move to return garbage to Canada as well as the return of the Balangiga bells.

In his final State of the Nation Address, Duterte said he demanded to ferry the tons of trash to Canada, adding that the Philippines is not a "dumpsite." It was in 2019 when tons of garbage arrived back home in Canada. 

"This is why we sent back container vans of garbage because our country is not a dumpsite. And the first country to do that... Canada. And the container was there for three years because hindi alam ng authorities kung ano gagawin," Duterte said, speaking before the attendees of his SONA.

He further pointed out that the tons of rubbish should be shipped back to Canada or else he will fire Customs officials.

"Those containers must be out of the country. Kapag hindi, all Customs, I will fire you," he said.

Duterte also praised the accomplishment of his administration to handover the three Balangiga bells from America to Eastern Samar. 

"May isa pa, welcome back Balangiga... After many decades of historic wrong, it need to be corrected," said Duterte.

Bells

It can be recalled that the three bells were taken by American soldiers in September 1901 from an Eastern Samar church after their attack against Filipino guerrillas who killed American soldiers during the war.

Before taking the bells, the Americans razed Eastern Samar towns and sent men aged 10 years old and above to detention.

After discussing the Balangiga bells, at one point in his speech, Duterte said he "has no intention of visiting America anymore."

South China Sea

Despite critics calling for more action on the 2016 arbitral ruling, Duterte said the country "asserted the ruling of South China Sea in no uncertain terms."

He also mentioned his speech before the United Nations General Assembly in 2020 wherein he said the Philippines rejects any move to undermine the 2016 arbitral victory.

"We will not close our doors of diplomacy of the tongue because that is how disputes are settled and never by force," the President said.

The tough-talking Philippine leader also cited his critics and the America for pushing him to uphold the arbitral award.

"America and some Filipinos, brilliant Filipinos I would say, keep on pushing something which I really do not know," Duterte said.

Duterte further pointed out that China boycotted the process of the arbitral tribunal, which invalidated its massive claims over the South China Sea.

"Ano pa ang gusto ninyo? What will I do with the document that is not bound by China because they were never part of that arbitration. There was really no arbitration at all because it is only the Philippine side who assert it," Duterte said.

Meanwhile, Duterte also reiterated his call to stop the kafala system, a scheme wherein Middle Eastern employers would control employment and migration status of foreign workers. 

"We called on the world to dismantle the heinous kafala system. Because the Filipino is no slave to anyone, anywhere and there is no room for modern day slavery," he said.

Independent foreign policy

Meanwhile, Duterte said his administration "continued to work with all nations that seek partnerships that work."

"Yet we continue to work with all nations that seek partnerships that work because despite differences it is a world where interest and objectives intersect," he said.

He also acknowledged the members of Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) for supporting the Philippine government.

"I assure you (ASEAN) that the Philippines will remain a responsible member of the international community. And we will work with you to achieve our shared objectives but make no mistake," he said.—LDF, GMA News