The Japanese and Philippine navies held their first joint drills in the South China Sea on Friday, as the two countries strengthen their security ties.
The maneuvers came less than a month after Tokyo and Manila signed an agreement allowing each to deploy troops on the other’s territory.
Japanese destroyer JS Sazanami and Philippine guided-missile frigate BRP Jose Rizal participated in the first bilateral “maritime cooperative activity” between the two countries, the Philippine military said in a statement.
He added that “this activity was part of ongoing efforts to enhance regional and international cooperation towards achieving freedom in the Indo-Pacific region.”
The two ships conducted communications training and carried out tactical maneuvers.
The statement added that the exercises “enhanced the tactical capabilities of the Philippine Navy, enhanced strong relations and mutual commitment to maintaining peace and stability in the region.”
A similar exercise was conducted two days ago, also in the waters of the South China Sea near the Philippines, between the Philippine Navy ship BRP Ramon Alcaraz and the US littoral combat ship USS Mobile.
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