DND open to military cooperation with Russia

File Photo: by Rita Salonga

with  Florante Rosales of RH News

MANILA - The Department of National Defense is open to the possibility of a military cooperation between the country and Russia.

Defense Spokesman Arsenio Andolong made the statement after DND Usec. Raymundo Elefante went to Moscow, Russia and met with the Defense official of the said country.

According to Andolong, they are just following the directive of President Rodrigo Duterte for the DND to study the possible cooperation with the Russian government, including the acquisition of military equipment.

“This is consonance with the President’s verbal guidance to explore possible areas of cooperation with the Russian government including the possible procurement of military equipment,”  Andolong said.

Prior to this, Philippine Ambassador Carlos Sorreta and Vice-Consul Luningning Camoying met with some Russian officials.

Some of the issues that the two countries discussed included modes of financing, transfer of technology, investment in domestic military production and servicing, after-sales service and maintenance.