A SIGNING of Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Philippine Government and Russian Government was eyed after the three-day bilateral talks held in Davao City.
National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon said Friday, February 17, that the bilateral talks between Russian Federation delegation led by Secretary Nikolay Patrushev, Security Council of Russian Federation, has been fruitful.
“The bilateral talks discussed future government to government cooperation in the fields of security and intelligence, defense and military, law enforcement, terrorism and transnational crimes, anti-illegal drugs work plan and maritime law enforcement,” he said.
Esperon also said President Rodrigo Duterte even invited Russians to visit Philippines last January through an open port policy for Russian ships as a matter of course as friends and allies.
He said last December, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana and Foreign Secretary Perfecto Yasay Jr. went to Moscow to craft MOU on Defense Corporation before it was discussed further in the bilateral meeting.
Esperon said purchase of equipment for the coastguard and military are also being eyed.
“We are entertaining all offers as you may have noted that the AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) is aiming to build up defense credibility so we are multi-sourcing now,” he said.
The National Security adviser said trucks and frigates are among which will possibly be purchased.
Esperon said they want to pursue relations to each other and come up a review necessary agreements including trade.
“Everything is put on hold while we do not have the agreement buts certainly we have many things to do now even without the agreement,” he said.
He added the MOU on these fields are being finalized by concerned agencies and area expected to be signed during the planned Presidential visit in Moscow sometime in April.
Esperon said the bilateral talks have been historic bearing that Russian Government came with a very big delegation.
The Russian delegation also included Ambassador of the Russian Federation to the Philippines Igor Khovaev, First Deputy Minister Interior Igor Zubov, Deputy Director of the Federal Protection Service of the Russian Federation Viktor Tulupov, Commander-In-Chief of the Russian Army Oleg Salyukov, Assistant Secretary of the Security Council of Russian Federation Alexander Venediktov and head of the Russian Coast Guard Department Frontier Service Alexey Volskiy.
Esperon said also present during the bilateral talks were Secretary of National Defense Delfin Lorenzana, Secretary of Interior and Local Government Ismael Sueño, Department of Justice Undersecretary Antonio Kho Jr., and Philippine Ambassador to Russia Carlos Sorreta.
Also present were Chief of Staff of the AFP General Eduardo Año, Army Chief Glorioso Miranda, National Intelligence Coordinating Agency Director-General Alex Paul Monteagudo, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency Director-General Isidro Lapeña, Philippine Coast Guard Commandant Joel Garcia, Department of Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary of European Affairs Ma. Cleofe Natividad, and Philippine National Police Regional Office Regional Director Manuel Gaerlan.
Esperon assured these bilateral agreements do not endanger relations with other countries.
“By Constitution, we must have an independent foreign policy but in the current situation, it can no longer be an independent policy but it must be an interdependent foreign policy so you see that we are maintaining our alliances but also pursuing robust relations with our nations especially China, Japan, Korea and of course with Russia,” Esperon said.
President Rodrigo Duterte graced the farewell dinner at Marco Polo Hotel, where he emphasized that the Philippines can only offer its sincerest Friday morning.
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