Three Russian Warships Arrive In Philippines For A Five-Day Port Call

© Yuri Smetyuk/TASS

Moscow Times: Russian Warships Arrive in Philippines as Manila Distances Itself From U.S.

Three Russian ships docked in Manila, the Philippines for a five-day port call on Monday aimed at improving navy-to-navy relations amid heightened tensions in the South China Sea.

The arrival of two anti-submarine ships Admiral Tributs and Admiral Vinogradov and a tanker ship is the sixth visit by the Russian navy under Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte who has distanced himself from treaty ally U.S. and sought closer ties with Russia. The Philippines and China have both laid claim to large portions of the South China Sea, with China building militarized artificial islands across the important shipping lane.

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Update #1: Russian Pacific Fleet’s naval group pays visit to Philippines (TASS)
Update #2: Russian warships arrive in the Philippines amid rising South China Sea tensions (CNN)

WNU Editor:  The Philippines are looking for friends.

Two Russian Navy Ships Arrive In The Philippines For A Joint Military Exercise

A Russian anti-submarine ship docks at the south harbour port area in Manila. (Reuters: Romeo Ranoco)

ABC News Online: Russian Navy ships arrive in the Philippines as Duturte moves to bolster Moscow ties

Two Russian Navy ships have arrived in Manila for a goodwill visit as President Rodrigo Duterte tries to bolster ties with Moscow, including a possible weapons deal.

Rear Admiral Eduard Mikhailov, deputy commander of Russia's Pacific Fleet, said a wide range of equipment was brought on the anti-submarine ship Admiral Tributs and the sea tanker Boris Butomato to demonstrate to the Philippine military during the five-day visit.

"Our governments will maybe discuss in some period of time the possibilities of our maritime exercises," he said, adding that Russia had been holding drills with the Indonesian navy.

This is the third such Russian visit to the Philippines, but is the first under Mr Duterte's administration.

Russian ships also made trips to the Philippines in January 2012 and May 2016.

This week's visit will include meetings between naval officials, as well as the opening of the ships to the public and Russian tours of historical places in Manila.

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More News On Two Russian Navy Ships Arrive In The Philippines For A Joint Military Exercise

Russia aims to beef up military ties with Philippines as 2 ships visit -- FOX News/AP
Russia and Philippines plan 'war games' as two of Putin's ships make a rare stop in Manila following President Rodrigo Duterte's decision to shun the United States -- Daily Mail
Russia sends two warships to Manila for drills with Philippines -- UPI
Russia wants to hold naval drills with the Philippines to combat terrorism and piracy -- Reuters
Russian Warships Visit Philippines, Announce Surprise Joint Drills -- Sputnik

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte finally meets Russian President Vladimir Putin

November 19, 2016. Russian President Vladimir Putin during a meeting with Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, left, on the sidelines of the APEC summit in Lima. © Michael Klimentyev / Sputnik

Reuters: Meeting Putin, Philippines' Duterte rails at Western 'hypocrisy'

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte lashed out at Western "bullying" and "hypocrisy" during his first meeting with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin and said when it came to alliances, the United States could not be trusted.

In talks with Putin during an Asia-Pacific summit in Lima, Duterte held nothing back in his views about major powers like the United States, suggesting he is sticking to his guns on re-aligning foreign policy away from Washington, despite his warm words for incoming U.S. president, Donald Trump.

"Historically, I have been identified with the Western world. It was good until it lasted," he told the Russian leader.

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Update #1: Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte finally meets his idol: Vladimir Putin (AP)
Update #2: Philippines Duterte Steps Up Attack on West in Talks With Putin (Bloomberg)
Update #3: Duterte Calls Putin His 'Idol,' Philippine President Slams Western 'Bullying' (International Business Times)

WNU Editor: Russian media is playing up this meeting .... Western nations start wars they are scared to fight themselves – Duterte to Putin at APEC summit (RT)