Rody home from Russia

MOSCOW – He spent just 24 hours here, but he got to do what he came for – meet the most important person in the country.

President Duterte and Russian President Vladimir Putin managed a quick meeting at the Kremlin, with Putin flying to Moscow for the meeting after Duterte announced he was cutting short his trip in order to attend to a security situation back home.

Most of the over 200 people who came on the chartered Philippine Airlines Flight PR001 had to do a quick about-face in order to join the presidential plane back. 

The lobby of the Four Seasons Hotel here was teeming with Filipinos frantically checking out in order to catch the ride for the airport after they received a text message that the plane was returning to Manila that same night.

Duterte had looked forward to his visit here as it would give him a chance to meet with Putin, who he described as his “idol and new friend.”

The President came prepared for the trip, bringing with him a powerhouse team of government officials – practically his entire Cabinet – and businessmen representing the private sector.

But he had to cut short his visit after the Islamic State-inspired Maute group attacked Marawi City on Tuesday. Duterte declared martial law in Mindanao from here.

Russian Ambassador Igor Khovaev took charge of facilitating the meeting with Putin before Duterte left that night.

Khovaev was on the phone the whole afternoon talking to those who could arrange the meeting, which eventually took place almost midnight at the Kremlin Grand Palace, Putin’s official residence.

“We were doing everything so the two could meet,” although the other possibility was for them to get to at least talk on the phone, Khovaev told The STAR.