Russia-Philippines relations on a high
Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Enrique Manalo, Russian Ambassador Igor Khovaev and Timor-Leste Ambassador Juvencio de Jesus Martins share a toast.
Russian Ambassador Igor Khovaev hosted a cocktail reception at the Rizal Ballroom of Shangri-La Makati to mark the 25th anniversary of the Day of Russia, which is celebrated every 12th of June.
Many people find it interesting that Russia and the Philippines share the same date to mark their independence, commenting that the relation between both countries — formally established on June 2, 1976 with the then Soviet Union — seems to be at its best with Rodrigo Duterte as current President of the Philippines.
President Rody’s trip last May was the Philippines’ first high-level official visit to Russia in almost a decade. Although the president’s five-day visit was cut short due to the attack by the ISIS-inspired Maute terrorist group in Marawi, the incident also highlighted the warming ties between Russia and the Philippines and the high regard Russian President Vladimir Putin has for President Rody.
Upon learning that domestic problems compelled Duterte to go home, the Russian president, who was some five hours away from Moscow, moved his schedule so he could still meet with Duterte at the Grand Kremlin Palace before the latter flew home.
Ambassador Khovaev says President Duterte is very popular among Russians, who see a similarity between the leadership styles of their president and ours. Duterte and Putin seemed to have hit if off when they met at the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Lima, Peru last year.
Aside from defense, the agenda for Duterte’s trip to Russia also included trade and investment opportunities for both countries, which have not really been maximized in the last four decades. - Photos by Ramon Joseph J. Ruiz
