THE Philippines may acquire military equipment and technology from Russia to boost its campaign against terrorism, transnational crimes and the threats to it in the disputed South China Sea, Foreign Affairs said Wednesday. The department said officials from the Russian Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation briefed the Philippine officials who visited Moscow on the different aspects of possible military cooperation between the Philippines and Russia, including the acquisition of Russian military equipment and technology. “One of the most pressing challenges in the region is keeping a stable, predictable and peaceful maritime order, particularly in the South China Sea,” Yasay said. China has rejected The Netherlands-based UN arbitration court’s ruling that its claim over most of the South China Sea has no basis. Philippine Ambassador to Russia Carlo Sorreta and Defense officials met with Russian Chief of the First Department of Military Sergey Buganov and FSMTC officials in Moscow to explore possible military cooperation.

Source: The Standard September 21, 2016 17:25 UTC