by Priam Nepomuceno/PNA
MANILA — The five-day visit of the Russian flotilla in the Philippines is aimed at strengthening the relationship between the navies of the two countries, Philippine Navy (PN) spokesperson Commander Jonathan Zata said.
“The visit aims to strengthen the relationship between the two navies. It will further enhance and sustain the promotion of peace, stability, and maritime cooperation of the two countries through naval diplomacy and camaraderie,” he said in a statement Sunday.
Earlier, the Russian Navy’s large anti-submarine ship Admiral Panteleev, guided-missile cruiser Admiral Varyag and large sea tanker Boris Botuma docked at Pier 9, South Harbor, Manila for their goodwill visit, which started Jan. 6 and will end on the 11th.
The Russian contingent, headed by Rear Admiral Edward E. Mikhailov, was welcomed by Commodore Toribio Adaci. The goodwill visit is the first for the Russian Navy this year and the seventh since 2012.
