Russia to help PH on oil, energy supply — envoy

MANILA — A Russian envoy on Monday stated that the Russian government is willing to work with and help the Philippines find other sources of fuel amid rising oil prices and limited options.

Russian Ambassador to the Philippines Marat Pavlov issued a statement following a courtesy call on President-elect Ferdinand Marcos Jr. that Russia is “ready to collaborate” with the Philippines on fuel sourcing.

“We discussed this area of cooperation and we found out that in this turbulent period of our life, the Russian Federation could extend its hand to help the Philippines in much-needed oil, gas, and other sources of [energy],” Pavlov said in a briefing following his meeting with Marcos Jr. 

According to Pavlov, they also shortly talked about the Russia-Ukraine war but said the president-elect intends to maintain the independent foreign policy and that “he will cooperate” with the Russian Federation. The Duterte administration has sought warmer ties with non-traditional allies like Russia and China.

The Russian invasion of Ukraine, a European Union ban on Russian oil imports, and seasonal factors affecting countries in the Northern Hemisphere are just some of the factors that have hampered the global supply of petroleum products, leading to a spike in prices.

As the Philippines imports gas from other countries, petroleum prices in Manila follow price fluctuations abroad. The Energy Department has warned that fuel prices would most certainly climb more in the coming weeks.

According to GMA News, Marcos Jr. stated in a chance interview on March 1 that he does not think “there is a need to take a stand” against Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. He added: “We are not involved… except for our nationals.”

The Philippines joined a resolution on the same day at the UN General Assembly condemning the invasion.

In a statement released through his team, Marcos Jr. shortly changed his tune as he appealed for sobriety and a peaceful resolution to the armed conflict.

“I support the unconditional observance of human rights and fervently hope that there will be no more targeting of civilian communities and civilian establishments,” Marcos said in a statement dated March 4.

Russia’s envoy Pavlov, meanwhile, said that their country is looking forward to continuing its “traditionally friendly relations” with the Philippines in other areas of cooperation as it is mutually beneficial for the two countries.