Manila, Jan. 27 -- The effort to establish defense cooperation between Manila and Moscow is on the right track, Russian Ambassador to Manila Igor Khovaev said Monday.
The affirmation comes days after President Rodrigo Duterte renewed calls for closer ties with Russia and hailed it for respecting the Philippines' sovereignty.
"We are on the right track," Khovaev told reporters in an interview in Manila. "We attach great importance to this cooperation and we are ready and we are taking necessary measures in order to help your country to increase your defense capability."
Meanwhile, he clarified that this has "nothing to do between the relationship of the Philippines with any other countries".
Earlier, President Rodrigo Duterte threatened ...