Moscow seeks naval drills as 2 Russian warships visit Manila

The Russian Navy said on Tuesday it was planning to hold war games with the Philippines, as two of its ships made a rare stop in Manila following President Rodrigo Duterte's pivot from the United States.

Admiral Tributs, an anti-submarine vessel, and a sea tanker Boris Butoma, arrived in Manila late on Tuesday for a four-day goodwill visit, with its crew expected to demonstrate anti-terrorism capability and hold talks, said Rear Admiral Eduard Mikhailov, head of the flotilla of the Russian Navy Pacific Fleet.

"Our governments will maybe discuss in some period of time the possibilities of our maritime exercises," Mikhailov said, adding Russia has been holding drills with the Indonesian Navy.