Russian Pacific Fleet Ships visit the Philippines 

By Edward Era Barbacena

Five vessels from the Russian Pacific Fleet, including two submarines, arrived in Manila on Nov 16 for a port call. The visit is for “routine replenishment & rest for the crew,” according to the Philippine Navy.

“The Russian Navy contingent is composed of corvette Gremyashchiy, B-274 Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky,  B–603 Volkhov, tanker Pechenga, and support vessel Alatau,” Philippine Navy (PN) spokesperson Commander Benjo Negranza said in a statement Tuesday night.

The Philippine Navy did not say how long the squadron will be in port but said the visit was for standard port replenishment and rest for the sailors.

“The arrival of the Russian contingent in the country and the accommodation and support being extended to them underscores the promotion of peace, stability, and maritime cooperation in the region,” Negranza said.

In October 2018, the BRP Tarlac (LD-601) and its 300-man contingent made the Philippine Navy's first-ever port visit to Vladivostok, Russia.

The visit lasted six days and the Navy contingent got a chance to visit and tour a Kilo-class diesel-electric submarine aside from inspecting a Russian Marine firing range.