A Russian warship (Source: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – Three Russian warships, including two anti-submarines, docked at a port in the Manila capital city of the Philippines to deliver weaponry and military vehicles donated to the country as part of the new defence relations of the two nations.
This is the third port visit of the Russian ships to the Philippines this year. According to the Philippine and Russian navies, the vessels carried 5,000 assault rifles, one million cartridge belts and 200 military vans.
Russian Deputy Commander of Flotilla of the Pacific Fleet Rear Admiral Eduard Mikhailov said that the two countries will do their best to make this port call a significant contribution to the bilateral ties in the interests of security and stability in the region.
Earlier, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte on October 11 announced that Russia would provide defence equipment to support the Philippine military’s fight against pro-Islamic State militants on the southern island of Mindanao.
Duterte said the military needed to be properly equipped to handle Islamic State loyalists who had established a dangerous foothold in Mindanao.
Clashes between the Philippine Government’s troops and IS militants over the past five months have left more than 800 people dead and forced over 500,000 civilians to flee.
The Philippines and Russia are expected to sign a deal on military logistics next week.-VNA
VNA
