Duterte to make 2nd visit to Russia in October

President Rodrigo Duterte will visit Russia for the second time at the invitation of his counterpart Vladimir Putin, Malacañang said Thursday.

Duterte’s spokesperson Salvador Panelo said the visit will take place in the first week of October. He did not give further details.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. earlier said the upcoming trip will make up for the President’s first state visit in 2017 “that was aborted within half a day of arriving by the fall of Marawi to jihadis including foreign fighters.”

The President cut short his trip to Russia in May 2017 to supervise government efforts to crush militants led by the Maute group, whom he said were trying to establish a caliphate for the Islamic State.

Duterte, however, had the opportunity to hold talks with Putin before flying home.

The President has repeatedly showered praises on Putin, whom he once called his “favorite hero,” for his support on the Philippines’ anti-terrorism campaign.

Russia gave the Philippines 5,000 units of AK-74M Kalashnikov assault rifles, one million units of 1943-type cartridges with steel core bullets and 5,000 units of steel helmets in October 2017.

Duterte said Russia had never asked for anything in exchange for the military equipment it provided to the Philippines.

The Philippines and Russia established diplomatic ties in 1976. —KBK, GMA News