Navy chief Vice Adm. Jesus Millan yesterday said a naval drill with two Japanese destroyers in the South China Sea on Tuesday is merely meant to avoid unnecessary encounters at sea and has nothing to do with the two countries' respective territorial disputes with China. In a phone interview, Millan said JS Harusame and JS Amigiri arrived last Saturday at the Manila South Harbor for a port visit. they are under the command of Capt. Masatoshi Kashihara, commander of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force's Escort Division 2. The Philippines' territorial dispute with China is in the Spratlys islands in the South China while Japan's is in East China Sea.

Reyes, V. (2015, May 11). PH, Japan hold drills in S'China Sea. Malaya Business Insight, pp. B1, B6.