Philippines, Japan to hold fresh naval drills in 'disputed' South China Sea

The Philippines and Japan are set to hold fresh naval drills this month, as they seek to bolster their security ties in the face of growing Chinese aggression in the disputed South China Sea.

Philippine Navy spokesperson Colonel Edgard Arevalo said the drilling, which is scheduled to take place on June 22-26, will be only the second ever joint manoeuvres with the Japanese Maritime Self-Defence Force and will allow the two forces to share new tactics, techniques and procedures as well as best practices to further maritime operations, reports The Daily Star.

However, he refused to say where the exercises would be held or which ships would take part.

Unnamed official sources said that the second drilling would also take place in the South China Sea, similar to the first one in May 12 from the Philippine-claimed Scarborough Shoal, which is now under Chinese control.