Russia's President Vladimir Putin shakes hands with Philippines' counterpart Rodrigo Duterte during their meeting in Sochi, Russia October 3, 2019. Mikhail Klimentyev, Sputnik/Kremlin/Reuters

MANILA — Malacañang said Monday that it expected the US, its only defense ally, to be "a little insecure" with the Philippines' warming ties with Russia, following President Rodrigo Duterte's second official visit there last week.

While Duterte "maintains his alliance with the US, he feels that [the] Philippines needs to open itself with all those countries willing to help... so that we can have deals with them: trade and others," said his spokesperson Salvador Panelo said.

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There is an "ongoing negotiation" between Manila and Moscow about "the purchase of certain military equipment", he added, without providing additional details.

Asked if this will have any effect to Manila's ties with Washington, Panelo said, "Perhaps... it will be for the better because the US will now feel a little insecure about it."

"It (Washington) should be more open to giving us fair deals," he told ANC.

Duterte, he noted, had wanted to buy weapons and choppers from the US "but they refused because they placed conditions... like you cannot use these against insurgents or against your own people."

Russia and China, on the other hand, donated rifles to the Philippines when Islamic State sympathizers laid siege to the southern city of Marawi in 2017.

"Until now, they haven't asked [for anything], according to the President, not even a single toothpick," said Panelo.

Moscow and Washington, the world's largest nuclear powers, have squabbled over various issues including tensions in Syria, the annexation of Crimea from Ukraine, and allegations of election meddling.

Russia's ally China, meanwhile, is engaged in a trade war with the US and a territorial dispute with the Philippines over the South China Sea.

"We have to open ourselves to all the states; friends to all, enemies to none. Depending on the interest of our country, if it will benefit us, then we will be friends with them," said Panelo.