Marcos returns to Manila, touts renewed ties with Russia

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. arrived in Manila on Friday following a three-day visit to Russia for the ASEAN-Russia Commemorative Summit, highlighting renewed ties and stronger cooperation between the two countries.

Marcos and the Philippine delegation landed at the Villamor Airbase in Pasay City at 4:02 p.m.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Marcos co-chaired the summit.

During the summit, several partnerships were established, and documents were adopted:

• ASEAN and Russia agreed to deepen cooperation and dialogue in several areas through the Kazan Declaration 2026
• The ASEAN-Russia Comprehensive Plan of Action for 2026-2030
• The Joint Statement and Concept Paper on Cultural Cooperation
• The Joint Statement and Concept Paper on Energy Cooperation

Marcos also shared his openness to a possible visa-free deal with Russia.

On the sidelines of the summit, Marcos said that he held a bilateral meeting with Putin.

“We reaffirmed the friendship and cooperation between Russia and the Philippines as we look forward to the next 50 years in our relations,” the President said in his arrival statement.

“We discussed ways to further advance our bilateral partnership across trade and investment, energy security, agriculture, science and technology, education, and people-to-people exchanges,” he added.

In a press conference, Marcos announced Putin’s authorization of the release of 24 Filipinos detained in the city of Irkutsk in Siberia for the past nine months.

Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Acting Secretary Dave Gomez said that the President was wearing two hats when he went to Russia for the Summit: as President of the Philippines, and as ASEAN Chair in 2026.

“Dalawa ‘yung papel na ginagampanan ng ating Pangulo dito. And so far, sa nakita namin today, he's really doing a very good job for both roles,” Gomez said.

(The President is playing two roles here. And so far, based on what we saw today, he's really doing a very good job for both roles.)

Marcos’ working visit to Russia was from June 16 to June 18, 2026. —LDF, GMA News