The docking of the Russian warship followed the strengthening of “friendship” between the Philippines and Russia
A warship from the Pacific Fleet of Russia docked in Manila on January 2 in time for a maritime exercise with the Philippine Navy.
According to a report by Singaporean media, Straits Times, Russian vessels’ main purpose of coming to the Philippines is to pay a “goodwill visit”.
The Russian Navy Vessels Admiral Tributs, which is a large anti-submarine ship, and Boris Butoma, a large sea tanker, are docked at Manila South Harbor on Tuesday morning.
The marines servicemen on-board the warship Admiral Tributs are scheduled to show off their weapons, armaments and tactics on December 5, Thursday.
The docking of the Russian warship followed the strengthening of “friendship” between the Philippines and Russia after Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte’s expressed his strong desire to have stronger ties with the country headed by his “idol”, Russian President Vladimir Putin.
It is also a part of Duterte administration’s pivot to an independent foreign policy, turning its back to its long-time ally, the United States of America (USA). Duterte had repeatedly chided the U.S. for supposedly forcing their allies to join in their wars.
Presidents Duterte and Putin met on the sidelines of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit in Lima, Peru. In the same bilateral meeting, President Putin formally invited President Duterte to visit Moscow.
Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Delfin Lorenzana earlier said that Russia has offered to sell a submarine along with drones to the Philippines to strengthen the modernization program of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).
The DND is looking at the possible purchase of sniper rifles and drones from Russia.
Secretary Lorenzana met with the Russian Confederation Federal Service for Military Technical Cooperation director Alexander Fomin in Moscow last December where they discussed about the possible military cooperation between the two countries.
Also, Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Perfecto Yasay Jr. met with his Russian counterpart in 2016 to discuss the current state of the bilateral relationship between the Philippines and Russia.
They also discussed about the trade relations between both nations and according to Secretary Yasay, it marked the beginning of the Philippines’ entrance into various agreements with Russia that would achieve the country’s objectives and goals.
Aside from Russia, the Philippines is also working into establishing stronger ties with another Communist country, China despite their dispute over the islands at the West Philippine Sea, also the South China Sea.
