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Pentagon Claims US 'Better Partner' for Philippines Than Russia

© REUTERS / Romeo RanocoThe Philippine Navy's band marches in front of the Russian Navy's guided missile cruiser Varyag, docked during a goodwill visit, at Pier 15, South Harbor, Metro Manila, Philippines April 20, 2017.
The Philippine Navy's band marches in front of the Russian Navy's guided missile cruiser Varyag, docked during a goodwill visit, at Pier 15, South Harbor, Metro Manila, Philippines April 20, 2017. - Sputnik International
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MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Randall Schriver, the US assistant defense secretary for Asian and Pacific security affairs, warned on Thursday that the Philippines' purchase of Russian military equipment might have an adverse impact on the country's cooperation with the United States, claiming that Washington was a better partner for Manila than Moscow.

The US official addressed reports on Manila's plans to acquire Russian heavy equipment, in particular, submarines.

"If they were to proceed with purchasing major Russian equipment, I don't think that's a helpful thing to do [in our] alliance and I think ultimately we can be a better partner than the Russians can be," Schriver said, as quoted by the Rappler news portal.

READ MORE: Philippines to Defend Interest in S China Sea Despite Improved Ties With Beijing

Alan Peter Cayetano and Sergei Lavrov - Sputnik International
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Philippines Won't Give Up On Russian Arms Despite US Threats - Foreign Minister
Earlier in August, media reported that Russia had offered the Philippine government its help in purchasing the submarines. The deal, in particular, provides for the allocation of a subsidized loan to Manila, which would be repaid over several years. The Philippine authorities are currently considering the proposal.

At a meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on August 2, Philippine Foreign Minister Alan Peter Cayetano said that Manila would not turn down the purchase of Russian equipment, even in the face of possible US sanctions.

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