http://gulftoday.ae/portal/8211aca7-93ac-4a1a-a352-81b945ebf0eb.aspx
MANILA: A Russian warship, accompanied by a fuel tanker, docked in Manila for joint exercises with their Philippine counterparts in what officials described as a vital component of the Duterte administration’s major shift in the country’s pursuit for an “independent foreign policy.”
The guided missile cruiser Varyag, the flagship of the Russian Pacific Fleet, and the fuel tanker Pechenga arrived in Manila for a four-day goodwill visit on Thursday a month ahead of the scheduled state visit of President Rodrigo “Rody” Duterte to Moscow.
Similar to the earlier visit of Russia’s warship Admiral Tributs to Manila also this year, Russian sailors are to undertake a series of activities including wreath-laying ceremony, receptions, cultural show at the Rizal Park in Manila and goodwill games, said Captain Luid Lincuna, the Philippine Navy spokesman.
But more than these activities, Lincuna added the Philippines hoped to learn from the Russians during training activities and demonstrations of advanced equipment and weapons system.
Captain Alexsei Ulyanenco, the Russian commander told reporters through an interpreter that Moscow wants to help the Philippines combat extremism and piracy by stepping up cooperation and training in areas that were usually reserved for the US, the country’s former colonizer and long-time ally.
In May, a Chinese naval fleet is to arrive in the Philippines at the invitation of the Duterte administration, according to the Chinese embassy in Manila.
“As invited by the Philippines government, task group 150 of the People’s Liberation Army Navy of China will arrive in Manila in May,” said Eldrich Lim of the embassy’s political section.
When he became president on June 30, 2016, Duterte announced he would pursue an “independent foreign policy” highlighted by lesser dependence on its long-time ally the US in favour of closer relations with China and Russia.
Duterte assured the Philippines would continue to honour its treaties with the US like the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) that allows the “rotational presence” in the country of American military forces including warplanes and warships.
The agreement also allows the US military to build structures in a least five facilities operated by the Armed Forces of the Philippines strategically located on the country’s three main island groups of Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.