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Envoy: Duterte trip to help dispel stereotypes of Russia

May 23, 2017 | 9:50am

Envoy: Duterte trip to help dispel stereotypes of Russia

Russian Ambassador to the Philippines Igor Anatolyevich Khovaev accompanies President Rodrigo Duterte on a tour of a Russian warship on a port visit in Manila. AP/Aaron Favila, File

MOSCOW - An evil scientist. An attractive assassin. A torturer.

These were among the portrayals of Russians in American movies that many Filipinos grew up watching.

But the Philippine government is hopeful that with President Rodrigo Duterte’s visit here, misconceptions will be erased and a mutually beneficial relationship will be developed.

“There’s been a lot of stereotypes in the Philippines and I don’t really blame it. I mean, growing up watching James Bond movies, the villains were either an evil Russian scientist or some beautiful nubile Russian assassin,” Philippine Ambassador to Russia Carlos Sorreta told reporters yesterday here.

“So, there's heavy influence in culture, but the reality is we have not had a deeper exchange with Russia even though we’ve had good relations, so we’re 40 years. And that’s going to change,” he added.

Duterte is here for a four-day official visit that seeks to strengthen the relationship between the Philippines and Russia, which officials have described as “nascent” even if it is already more than four decades old.

He is expected to meet with Russia President Vladimir Putin and Prime Minister Medvedev to discuss political, military and economic cooperation and to encourage Russian firms to invest in the Philippines.

Philippine pivot meets Russia rebalance

Sorreta said the timing of Duterte’s visit is good, noting that it came at a time when the Philippines is pursuing new partnerships and Russia is heading east.

“Philippine pivot meets Russian rebalance to Asia. I think the timing is great and we should take advantage of that,” the envoy said.

“I think that’s the kind of independent foreign policy we’re trying to achieve – less dependence of our needs or our policies on a single nation… So, we actually get a better balance on more independence foreign policy,” he added.

Last year, Duterte announced his separation from the US, the traditional ally of the Philippines, to pursue what he called an independent foreign policy. The president made the announcement after some US officials criticized his brutal war on illegal drugs.

Sorreta said other member-states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations already have “wonderful” relations with Russia.

Russian website RT reported in 2016 that trade between Russia and ASEAN has been improving, with a 20-percent increase in the first quarter of that year.

"The volume of Russian direct investment in the countries of the association was $698 million in 2012-2014," RT also said, adding 2.3 million Russians visited ASEAN countries in 2014.

Regional website The Diplomat has reported that Russia entered a maintenance deal with Laos in 2016 for Mil Mi-17 helicopters in the Asian nation's armed forces. It also reported that Myanmar was buying Yakovlev Yak-130 jets in 2016.

“It’s been a long time coming because there are a lot of benefits in having a good relationship with a large country and a powerful country like Russia,” he said.

Trade and security cooperation

Sorreta said enhancing ties with the Russia would provide the Philippines opportunities in trade and security cooperation.

The envoy said Russia is a “major power” in energy and cooperation and a deep cooperation with the European country could bring down energy prices. He also noted that Russia is a major industrial country and is also known for producing pharmaceuticals.

“Opening our market to products from Russia will benefit our consumer… They are a power in pharmaceuticals. It could bring healthcare cost down for the common Filipino,” Sorreta said.

The Philippines established diplomatic ties with the then Union of Soviet Socialist Republics on June 2, 1976.

Total trade between the Philippines and Russia amounted to $422 million last year.

Last year, Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez said Russia has vowed to increase the value of its imports from the Philippines to $2.5 billion from about $46 million for a year.