By Priam Nepomuceno | via PNA
MANILA — Ships of the Russian Pacific Fleet made their second goodwill visit to the Philippines after docking at Pier 15, Manila South Harbor Monday morning.
Admiral Tributs and Vinogradov, classified as “large submarine ships” by the Russian Navy, and the large sea tanker, Irkut, was provided the customary meeting point procedure by BRP Ramon Alcaraz (PS-16) off Corregidor Island and afterwards escorted to their docking area.
Captain Jonathan Zata, Philippine Navy (PN) spokesperson, said Admiral Tributs and Vinogradov made their first visit to the country in January 2018.
The visit of the three Russian vessels will last until Friday.
The arrival of the naval ships took place a month after the visit of Russian Navy commander-in-chief, Admiral Vladimir Korolyov, last March.
Zata said the head of the Russian delegation, Captain Sergey Alantiev, was welcomed by Captain Constancio Arturo Reyes Jr., PN staff officer for education and training.
Alantiev and the three Russian ship commanders are expected to pay a courtesy call to PN flag-officer-in-command, Vice Admiral Robert Empedrad.
A series of confidence building exercises is scheduled between Russian and Filipino naval personnel in the coming days.
