Russia envoy assures Phl of assistance vs terrorism
Russian Ambassador to the Philippines Igor Khovaev was on a three-day visit, starting Tuesday (July 3), in Dumaguete City, which was capped with a welcome ceremony at the City Council’s session hall, hosted by Mayor Felipe Antonio Remollo and the city government.
In his message, Khovaev said Russia and the Philippines have some things in common, as both countries have multi-ethnic and multireligious societies.
Khovaev said President Vladimir Putin has assured President Rodrigo Duterte, during the latter’s visit to Russia that he will help the Philippines in its fight against terrorism. It was during Duterte’s Kremlin visit that terrorist groups attacked Marawi City.
“Just tell us how we can help you Filipinos in your struggle against terrorists. There’s no need to explain what terrorism means, our country also suffered the same,” Khovaev said, quoting Putin’s message to Duterte.
The ambassador also said no country, big or small, is able to fight terrorism on its own. “We need to combine our efforts because terrorism knows no boundaries.”
Khovaev said Russia has assured the Philippines it is a reliable partner and close friend. “That’s why it has donated arms and weapons for the Philippine Armed Forces to increase their effectiveness and struggle against terrorism.”
He said it is Russia’s national interest to increase the defense capabilities of the Philippines to be more efficient and stronger in its fight against terrorism because terrorism is a threat to all us.
During her speech at the City Council, Khovaev mentioned some areas where the two countries can cooperate, namely, security and defense, energy and transportation, telecommunications, agriculture, science and technologies, education, culture and sports.
“It’s time for Filipinos to discover Russia and for Russians to discover the Philippines,” he said, citing that most knowledge or perception of Filipinos about Russia are mainly based on what comes out of mass media.
The ambassador also floated the idea of coming up with a special seminar that will focus on economic issues, social ties, culture, education and sports between the two countries, but no political issues.” Russia is committed to become a new reliable partner and close friend of the Philippines,” he said.
Khovaev further said Russia respects the sovereignty of the Filipinos and that it would never interfere in the domestic affairs of other states.
But as a federal state, he said Russia is willing to share its experiences with the Philippines. “There is no universal federal system so every and each federal state is unique,” he said. “We can share our experience with you but it will be up to you, Filipinos, to decide what kind of a federal system to establish in your country.”