Russian Navy ships arriving in Manila

Three Russian Navy vessels will arrive in Manila today for a five-day goodwill visit.

Philippine Navy Captain Jonathan V. Zata, Director of the Naval Public Affairs Office, said the large antisubmarine ships Admiral Tributs and Vinogradov, and large sea tanker Irkut, will dock at Pier 15, South Harbor.

Zata said the Philippine Navy will render the customary welcome ceremony for the vessels to be followed by a press briefing with both navies’ key officials led by the Commander of Detachment of the Russian Pacific Fleet, Capt. Sergey G. Alantiev.

He said the docking of the Russian vessels is a tradition that signifies Russian and Philippine Navy cooperation.

During the five-day port call, the Russian Navy will hold a wreath-laying ceremony, courtesy calls on top military officials, friendly sporting events, and maneuvering exercises with its Philippine counterparts.

On Tuesday, the Russian ships will also hold an Open Door Day from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

The Pacific Fleet ships will wrap up their visit on Friday, April, 12.

Zata said this will be the second visit of the Russian Navy this year and the eighth since 2012.

Last January, three Russian Navy vessels — the large anti-submarine ship Admiral Panteleev, the guided missile cruiser Varyag, and the large sea tanker Boris Botuma — were in Manila for five days.

It will be the second time for the Admiral Varyag and the Boris Botuma to visit the country. It will be the first visit for the Admiral Panteleev.