Rody vows to Medvedev: fair trial, comfy house for 2 Russian drug suspects

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte and Russian Federation Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev discuss matters on how the Philippines and Russian Federation can further foster its partnership during a bilateral meeting at the Coconut Palace in Pasay City on November 13, 2017. KING RODRIGUEZ/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday promised Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev how two Russian suspects for drug trafficking will be treated in the Philippines.

On the sidelines of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit, an official Palace transcript bared the two leaders’ conversation.

Duterte initially brought up his appreciation of the firearms that Russia donated to the Philippines and said that it was used ‘on time’ during the Marawi siege.

He then went on to the two drug suspects namely, Yuri Kirdyushkin and Anastacia Novopashina.

“I would just like to say that we have a working functional justice system here and they will get a fair trial and that they will be detained in a comfortable house,” Duterte said.

“It’s still under investigation. Whether [the allegation] is true or not, we will find out but I will see to it that they are treated fairly and no additional stress on their person that will happen,” he added.

Medvedev’s response though was not particular on the matter but was on the subject of the two countries’ ties.

“No doubt we will keep standing by your side, we’ll keep assisting you in this very important and sensitive theme, and along this track of fight against terrorism in the course like bringing or restoring law and order,” the Russian Prime Minister said.

The Philippine Chief Executive did not give any details about the two Russian nationals’ case.

Kirdyushkin was previously reported to be arrested by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) in October 2016 at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).

Apologetic, he admitted being a drug courier but denied that he was a drug user.

“I don’t do drugs. My blood is clean. I’m ready to do all the tests. I’m ready to cooperate,” he told the reporters. He confessed that this was his first time to partake in such task and that he only wanted to earn extra money to marry his girlfriend

Meanwhile, Novopashina was arrested in NAIA in November 2016. Without her knowledge, even before her arrival to the Philippines, she was already monitored by local officials in cooperation with the United States Drug Enforcement Agency.