We basically kept our distance from the Soviet Union throughout the Cold War era from the 1950s up to its disintegration in 1991, as we focused on our “special relations” with the United States. From 1991 to 2016, we maintained nominal diplomatic and economic ties with Russia but, on the whole, we still cold-shouldered the Russians, fixated as we were with keeping our friendship with the Americans and their allies in Western Europe.
Until, of course, President Duterte assumed office in mid-2016. After then-US President Barack Obama expressed concern over the rising death toll and human-rights violations in his war on drugs, that’s when Duterte began sidling up to Russia.
The decision to enhance ties with Russia and President Vladimir Putin is part and parcel of Duterte’s move to pursue an independent foreign policy and to strengthen relations with nontraditional allies.
This pivot to nontraditional allies, such as Russia and China, is not new as the 1987 Constitution explicitly states that we should pursue an independent foreign policy that asserts national sovereignty, territorial integrity, national interest and the right to self-determination. But it represents a big step forward since, for the longest time, we had cast our lot with the so-called “free world” because of our close ties with the US and looked at the former socialist bloc led by the Soviet Union as “enemies,” or at least as countries to be shunned or avoided as we considered them “totalitarian.”
After Duterte made an official visit to Russia in May this year—although a very brief one as he had to attend to the outbreak of armed conflict in Marawi—and his meeting on November 10 with Putin on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation leaders’ summit in Vietnam, bilateral ties have vastly improved, especially in the areas of trade and investments, as well as defense cooperation.
Enhanced economic cooperation with Russia is on the horizon, with Russian corporations said to be very much interested in investing in the energy and transportation sectors in the Philippines. The Russians have suggested building a light railway system between Baguio and La Trinidad in the Cordillera region. They also want to establish a repair facility for Russian ships here.
Russian firms are also keen on exporting grain and meat to the Philippines, and would like to import fish and other marine products, as well as fruits.
Duterte told Putin that we are interested in purchasing military equipment from Russia, a leading arms manufacturer in the world. Moscow has offered a wide range of goods, including high-speed boats and helicopters, and even invited our military personnel to avail themselves of training in Russia, especially in counterterrorism. Russia recently donated 5,000 AK-47 assault rifles and 20 heavy-duty military trucks to assist our troops in defeating the Maute terrorist group that had pledged allegiance to the Islamic State.
Duterte and Putin also agreed to exchange military attaches and appoint a special envoy for military affairs.
Who would have thought that Manila would forge warm relations with Russia after many years of keeping it at arm’s length? Our enhanced bilateral ties presents opportunities for the two countries to build upon the gains already achieved in the diplomatic sphere, as well as in economic and defense cooperation in past years and to further strengthen our ties for mutual benefit and mutual advantage in the future.
E-mail: ernhil@yahoo.com.