Duterte: Visit to open 'new chapter in Philippine-Russian relations'

MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte will seek to open a new chapter in Philippine-Russian relations this week during his visit to Moscow as he subtly criticized the foreign policy orientation of past administrations which he said was heavily reliant on the country’s “traditional partners.”

In speech before departing for Moscow for his four-day official visit, Duterte said that Russia should cease to be at the margins of Philippine diplomacy.

Duterte said that the Philippines’ overdependence on its traditional allies, which has limited its maneuvering room in the international arena, was a “strategic oversight” he was determined to correct.

“Russia must cease to be at the margins of Philippine diplomacy. Overdependence on traditional partners has limited our room to maneuver in a very dynamic international arena. This is a strategic oversight that has led to many missed opportunities for our country. I am determined to correct this,” he said.

The president said that his visit to Moscow underscores Manila’s pursuit of an independent foreign policy and resolve to expand its number of allies beyond its traditional partners.

He said that with Russian stake and influence in the Asia-Pacific region the country should engage it to find areas of common interests.

“My visit underscores the independence of the Philippines’ foreign policy and the firm resolve to broaden the horizons of friendship and cooperation with other nations. Russia is a country that we must work with. There are opportunities for cooperation that cannot be ignored. With its geographic footprint in the Asia-Pacific region and its strategic interests in the region, a positive engagement is required to find areas of synergies in interests,” he said.

Independent Foreign Policy

The president added that accompanying him in this visit are leaders of Philippine legislature and senior government figures that showed the importance the government places in the “writing of a new chapter of Philippines-Russia relationship.”

Since Duterte assumed the presidency in June last year, Manila has pursued what it calls an “independent foreign policy.”  In this reorientation of Philippine international relations, it has sought to forge warmer relations with non-traditional partners such as Russia and China, with which it has competing claims over the South China Sea.

Although officials would not admit it, this independent track has also led to some frost in its relationship with its old ally and treaty partner, the US, which has been critical of Duterte’s major domestic policy, his war on drugs and criminality.

Duterte said that he will push for engagements between the two countries in political, security and cultural spheres.

He said that they will also exchange views on regional and international issues to advance their interests.

“Certainly, I will take the opportunity to engage the business leaders in Russia. With the Philippines’ emphasis on sustaining our economic growth, we seek responsible economic partners who will become our new allies in development. I will let them know that the Philippines means serious business,” he also said.

The president will also meet the Filipino community in the Russian capital to thank and inform them of the developments in the Philippines.