Philippines, Japan to hold fresh naval exercises

The Philippines and Japan will hold their second joint naval drills this year, the Filipino military said today, as the World War II foes deepen security ties while China aggressively develops islands in disputed waters.

The June 22-26 joint manoeuvres with the Japanese Maritime Self-Defence Force would be the second this year, after a one-day exercise in the flashpoint South China Sea last month, Philippine navy spokesman Colonel Edgard Arevalo said.

He would not say where the new exercises would be held or which ships would take part.

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