Homebound Russian ships get PASSEX from PN

From the Philippine News Agency (Jan 8): Homebound Russian ships get PASSEX from PN

The country's Russian naval visitors formally left Pier 15, Manila South Harbor with the Philippine Navy (PN) providing the traditional "passing exercise" (PASSEX) Saturday morning.

The Russian ships, the Udaloy-class large anti-submarine vessel/destroyer Admiral Tributs and naval tanker Boris Botuma, left the above-mentioned port facility around 9:00 a.m., PN spokesperson Capt. Lued Lincuna said in a message to the PNA.

PASSEX was provided to the Admiral Tributs as it was steaming in Manila Bay, he added.

The former was provided by the BRP Rajah Humabon (PS-11), the same ship that met the Russian ships during their arrival off Corregidor Island last January 2.

The PASSEX is part of the send-off ceremonies where visiting naval ships are given honors.

Earlier, Russian Pacific Fleet flotilla deputy commander Rear Admiral Eduard Mikhailov said they are more than willing to show and demonstrate the use of its various naval combat systems to its Filipino counterparts once an agreement has been inked allowing Philippine and Russia maritime forces to train together.

"Maybe in the future, we'll have exercises with your (and we'll teach you) maneuvering and use of combat systems," he added.

Also, when the proper time comes, Mikhailov said Russia, the Philippines, China and Malaysia can participate in one big naval exercise in the South China Sea.

He added that this is possible as all the above-mentioned countries are concerned with the safety and security of the region.

Mikhailov is the head of the Russian naval delegation of the six-day goodwill visit to the country which ended on Saturday.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=953459