Putin offers counter-terrorism training for Filipino soldiers
DA NANG, Vietnam – Russia has offered to provide counter-terrorism training to Filipino soldiers and build a ship repair facility for Russia vessels passing in the Philippines.
The latest Russian initiatives are part of the intensified defense cooperation agreed between Russian President Vladi- mir Putin and President Duterte during their meeting in Vietnam on Friday.
The two leaders met on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit on ways to deepen both economic and military relations.
“There’s a proposal to build a maintenance center for Russian ships in the Philippines,” Presidential spokesman Harry Roque said in a media interview after the meeting between Duterte and Putin.
“He also invited the Philippine military to train in Russia and that the Russians will establish or appoint a military attaché in Manila. It’s important to keep developing close relationship with the Philippines,” he added.
He said Putin also endorsed stronger coordination between the two governments, citing upcoming visit of the Russia defense military to the Philippines.