Manila, June 17 -- President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. departed for Kazan, Russia late Tuesday to lead the Philippines' participation in the ASEAN-Russia Commemorative Summit and hold bilateral talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin focused on energy and food security.

The plane carrying Marcos and his delegation left Villamor Airbase in Pasay City shortly after 11:55 p.m.

In his departure statement, Marcos said the summit marks the 35th anniversary of ASEAN-Russia relations and carries special significance as it will be his first visit to Russia and comes as Manila and Moscow commemorate 50 years of diplomatic relations.

The President said the summit will allow ASEAN leaders and President Putin to review three decades of cooperati...