Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte speaks during a news conference in Davao city, southern Philippines.
ReutersRussia has offered to share intelligence with the Phillipines, Reuters reported on Feb. 16.
The offer was made by Nikolai Patrushev, Secretary of Russia's Security Council during a meeting with Philippine security officials in Davao, the hometown of Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, according to the news agency.
The Philippines was invited to join a database-sharing system to help combat trans-national crime and terrorism, the news agency cited Philippine Defence Secretary Delfin Lorenzana as saying.
Such a database could help the island nation track insurgent groups and Islamist militants, Lorenzana said.
Patrushev also conveyed Russia’s willingness to train the elite forces who protect Duterte, news agency said.
Ever since he was elected president last year, Rodrigo Duterte has been sending friendy overtures to Russia. He will visit Moscow in the spring of 2017.
Officials and analysts expect the Duterte visit to be path-breaking, although they rule out talk of a military alliance between the two countries that were on the opposing ends of the spectrum during the Cold War.
Russia and the Philippines are expected to sign a defense cooperation agreement.
Philippine Ambassador to Russia Carlos Sorreta told RBTH earlier this month that the agreement “focuses on activities that are designed to build mutual understanding between our defense forces through visits, exchange of information, and training.”
Vasily Kashin from the Institute for Far Eastern Studies believes the Philippines may be interested in buying Mi-17 multipurpose helicopters, Mi-35 attack helicopters and the Su-25 Frogfoot aircraft.
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