PH Navy invited to Russia’s 2019 international fleet review

Photo from Philippine Navy

The Philippine Navy has been invited by its Russian counterpart to participate in its international fleet review next year.

Navy chief Vice Adm. Robert Empedrad said Thursday they will be studying in the next few months the possibility of sending a ship for the event.

“Just recently, I was informed that Russia will be inviting us to send a ship to St. Petersburg for their next anniversary celebration. That will be a 40-day trip to Russia alone and 40-day trip back to the Philippines,” he said in his speech at the arrival ceremony for the contingent of Asean-China maritime exercises at the Navy Headquarters in Manila.

Last month, the Philippine Navy, through BRP Tarlac (LD-601), made its first ever port call to Vladivostok in Russia. A one-way voyage took 10 days.

The new invitation showed another aspect of growing defense ties between the Philippines and Russia under President Rodrigo Duterte’s independent foreign policy. /kga