FOR the second time, the Philippine warship BRP Ramon Alcaraz (PF-16) and Japanese warship JS Hatakaze (DDG-171) will engage in a passing exercise (Passex) and drills, this time off the coast of Palawan, near the disputed West Philippine Sea (South China Sea).

Lt. Cmdr. Marineth Domingo, chief, Navy Public Affairs Office, on Wednesday, said the bilateral naval exercises would be held on September 25 before the DDG-171 would head home to Japan.