MANILA Mayor Alfredo S. Lim extended his utmost thanks, gratitude and appreciation to the Russian government for rescuing and helping Filipino sailors who get victimized by Somalian pirates.                                                                          

Lim made the pronouncements as he welcomed a Russian delegation that brought to the country the flagship of Admiral Panteleyev and two other ships, “Boris Botuma,” a large sea tanker, and “Fotiy Krylov,” a rescue tug.

The vessels arrived in Manila for a visit to promote friendly ties between the Philippines and Russia.   City officials led by Lim and chief of staff and media bureau chief Ric de Guzman visited the huge anti-submarine ship “Admiral Panteleyev” which docked at Pier 15 of the Manila South Harbor for a guided tour, which was followed by cocktails with the Russian Federation Ambassador, H.E. Nikolay Kudashev and the ship officers.  Subsequently, Lim presented the symbolic keys to the city to Kudashev and Captain Andrey Saprikin, senior commanding officer, during the Russian delegation’s courtesy call on the mayor.                                                   

There, the mayor reiterated the country’s gratitude for the help being extended to Filipino sailors against Somali pirates.  The incidents were unreported to the Philippine authorities by the ship owners.                                                   

In turn, Lim was presented with a framed photo of the anti-submarine ship. The Russian guests were accompanied to Manila City Hall by Philippine Navy-Fort Bonifacio, Taguig headquarters representative Lt. Lloyd Ayonayon.                 

The said Russian warship, with its glorious history, is part of the Russian Pacific Ocean Fleet that was deployed in 2009 as part of their operations to help combat piracy at the Somalia coast.