DHAKA: The Philippines and Japan will hold fresh joint naval drills this month, the Filipino military said Tuesday, as the World War II foes swiftly ramp up security ties while China develops islands in disputed waters.

The June 22-26 joint maneuvers with the Japanese Maritime Self-Defence Force would be only the second ever, after an unprecedented one-day exercise in the flashpoint South China Sea last month, Philippine navy spokesman Colonel Edgard Arevalo said, reports The Straits Times.

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

But Japanese media, quoting unnmamed official sources, suggested the second maneuvers will also take place on the South China Sea.

BDST: 1555 HRS, JUN 09, 2015
RR