The Philippine Navy ship BRP Dagupan City arrives at the port in Manila, the Philippines, Nov. 8, 2018. The Philippine Navy wants to have more engagements with the Chinese and Russian navies and the just-concluded maritime drill between China and the Southeast Asian countries' navies in the waters off China went well, Philippine Navy chief Vice Adm. Robert Empedrad said on Thursday after welcoming the return of the naval ship that took part in the joint drill in Zhanjiang of south China's Guangdong Province in October. (Xinhua/Rouelle Umali)
MANILA, Nov. 8 (Xinhua) -- The Philippine Navy (PN) wants to have more engagements with the Chinese and Russian navies, noting the just-concluded maritime drill between China and the Southeast Asian countries' navies in the waters off China went well, the Philippine naval chief said on Thursday.
"It's a good exercise and I hope we'll have more of this in the future," said Navy chief Vice Adm. Robert Empedrad after welcoming the comeback of the naval ship that took part in the joint drill in Zhanjiang, south China's Guangdong Province in October.
As to future engagements with Russia, Empedrad said the Navy is mulling sending another ship to Russia after a successful first port visit to Vladivostok last month.
"Russia is going to have an international fleet review (in May next year) in St. Petersburg. They (Russian officials) are sending feelers to invite us to send ship (for the fleet review)," Empedrad said.
"We are studying if we can do it. If we have a well-conditioned ship, it's possible that we are going to send a ship for the exercise. Let's see," Empedrad said.
