Russian Navy in Philippines for joint drills

Friday, 21 April 2017

Russian navy in Philippines for joint drills

Ahoy, there: The Russian missile cruiser Varyag arriving at the international port of Manila. — AFP

 

MANILA: Russian navy vessels have arrived in the Philippines for joint exercises as part of a drive for new security ties under President Rodrigo Duterte’s revamped foreign policy of courting the traditional foes of Manila’s top ally, Washington.

The guided missile cruiser Varyag, accompanied by the fuel tanker ship Pechenge, are on a four-day goodwill visit to the Philippines, the second port call by Russian warships in three months.

The move is part of what Duterte describes as a pursuit of a constitutionally mandated “independent foreign policy”.

He has made no secret of his grudge against the United States and has made befriending Russia and China the priority of his diversification drive.

Captain Lued Lincuna, director of the Philippine navy’s public affairs, said the Philippines hoped to learn from the Russians during training activities and a demonstration of advanced equipment and weapons systems.

The schedule included training and sports activities with the flagship vessel of the Russian Pacific fleet, plus a Russian concert in a park.

Russian commander Captain Alexsei Ulyanenko said the port call would make a “significant contribution” to strengthening relations and maintaining stability in the region.

Moscow wants to help Manila combat extremism and piracy, stepping up cooperation and training in areas where the Philippines has traditionally worked closely with its former colonial master, the United States.

The relationship is expected to develop further next month when Duterte and Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin witness the signing of defence agreements in Moscow. — Reuters

COMVAL conducts Training for SBB Youth Volunteers

Comval conducts training for SBB youth volunteers

Compostela Valley Province---The provincial government of Compostela Valley led by Governor Jayvee Tyron L. Uy through the Bayanihan Para Sa Karunungan Program (BPSK) conducts training workshop for the youth volunteers for the Summer Big Brother (SBB), a reading comprehension program for Grade 2 and Grade 3 elementary pupils who are identified as non-readers. With the theme, “We are Love. We are Hope. We are Volunteers,” the event was held on April 7-9, at Nabunturan National Comprehensive High School (NNCHS) in Poblacion, Nabunturan Comval.

With a total of 404 youth volunteers of the province who already completed the slots. The volunteers were called as Big Ates andKuyas who are going to serve the total target students of 3,030 non-readers for 101 implementing schools of the entire province for 15-day remedial classes.

Gov. Uy expressed his gratitude and inspired the youth volunteers saying "I assure you, you will enjoy this program and you will have a sense of fulfillment after na makahelp ta sa mga bata."

Governor Uy recalled how the BPSK started with only three schools when he was still the Chairman of the Committee on Education and expressed his utmost gratitude to all the eager youth volunteers for their willingness to help of the young Comvaleños.

He assured the youth volunteers that he will give his full support especially during their deployment.

Meanwhile, SP Member and Committee Chair on Education Hon. Vivencia L. Secuya joined the youth volunteers on their last day of training at NNCHS on April 9 and thanked the young people in ComVal who expressed their desire to become part of the program with powerful words of encouragement and left a challenge to the youth volunteers to continue embracing and fostering the Spirit of Volunteerism.

The SBB Season 4 will start on April 24 for the 101 implementing schools of the province. (Rey Antibo, IDS Comval)