The Philippines might soon be sending young Filipino cadets to Russia to train in its military institutions following proposals to maximize the alliance of the two countries.
Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana
(Jansen Romero / MANILA BULLETIN)
In return, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said the Philippines, through its Philippine Military Academy (PMA), may also accommodate young Russian military cadets.
“These are offers which we are evaluating,” said Lorenzana.
“Maybe we can start with sending cadets and accepting theirs or sending senior officers to their higher military education,” he added.
Lorenzana’s statement came as a reaction to what the Russian Ambassador to the Philippines Igor Khovaev who stated that Russia is willing to offer military education to Filipino cadets in its institutions.
Should it happen, it would be one of the biggest shifts in military alliance since the Armed Forces of the Philippines usually send their cadets and officers for training programs to the United States and its allies.
Several Filipino military officials, including former President Fidel Ramos, graduated from the United States Military Academy or West Point. A few also studied or took courses in military schools in other countries.
The shift in military alliance was brought by President Duterte’s decision to strike partnership with other countries aside from the United States and its known allies like Japan, South Korea and Australia.
Duterte also led the country in forging alliance with China before his push for partnership with Russia.
But as to the proposal of Russian envoy to the Philippines to conduct war games, Lorenzana said they are yet to look closer on the proposal.
“For joint exercises, we have to study closely and put up the frameworks to do it such as a visiting forces agreement,” said Lorenzana.
Any military exercises, based on the law, should be approved by the Senate.
“These are offers which we are evaluating,” said Lorenzana.
“Maybe we can start with sending cadets and accepting theirs or sending senior officers to their higher military education,” he added.
Lorenzana’s statement came as a reaction to what the Russian Ambassador to the Philippines Igor Khovaev who stated that Russia is willing to offer military education to Filipino cadets in its institutions.
Should it happen, it would be one of the biggest shifts in military alliance since the Armed Forces of the Philippines usually send their cadets and officers for training programs to the United States and its allies.
Several Filipino military officials, including former President Fidel Ramos, graduated from the United States Military Academy or West Point. A few also studied or took courses in military schools in other countries.
The shift in military alliance was brought by President Duterte’s decision to strike partnership with other countries aside from the United States and its known allies like Japan, South Korea and Australia.
Duterte also led the country in forging alliance with China before his push for partnership with Russia.
But as to the proposal of Russian envoy to the Philippines to conduct war games, Lorenzana said they are yet to look closer on the proposal.
“For joint exercises, we have to study closely and put up the frameworks to do it such as a visiting forces agreement,” said Lorenzana.
Any military exercises, based on the law, should be approved by the Senate.
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