Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — Russian navy vessels are in the Philippines for a visit this week.
This is taken as one of many signs of improving ties with Russia, which is looking forward to having — for the first time — increased defense relations with the Philippines.
Russian anti-submarine ship, Admiral Tributs, is back in Manila for a four-day goodwill visit. The same warship was here in 2012.
But this time, it is looking forward to a brighter prospect: scaled-up military relations with the Philippines.
This is the first time the navies of two countries are coming together to intensify their partnership since Cold War.
“You can choose how to pursue cooperation with the United States or with the Russian navy,” Russian Navy Rear Admiral Eduard Mikhailov said. “But on our side, we can help you in every way you will need.”
The visit comes after the meeting of President Rodrigo Duterte and Russian President Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of the APEC economic summits in November last year.
Also read: Duterte meets with Putin, Xi at APEC Economic Leaders’ Summit
The Admiral Tributs and its sea tanker, Boris Botuma, have been at sea since November, holding naval drills in Indonesia and India.
They crossed through the Indian Ocean, and even in the disputed terroritories on the South and East China Seas.
“We did not have problems dealing with other countries or their vessels like that of the United States or China,” Mikhailov said. “We operated on a high level of friendly cooperation.”
And according to authorities, that same friendly cooperation with the Philippine military, once established, will focus on solving terrorism and piracy in order to keep regional sea lanes safe for everybody.
Also read: Russian envoy: Moscow offering ‘strategic partnership’ to PH, not military alliance
