The Philippine and US militaries are set to hold their annual joint exercises Balikatan on May 8, announced the US Embassy in Manila on April 24.

Philippine Navy in a drill.(Source: Reuters/VNA)

In a statement, the embassy said that the exercises will run until May 19 on multiple locations in the Luzon Island and the Visayas region in central Philippines.

Forces from Australia and Japan will join in major training activities. The armed forces of the Philippines has invited military forces from several other nations to observe.

The statement did not mention the number of soldiers participating in the drills.

The two countries conduct three major joint drills and 28 minor cross training exercises annually, with Balikatan the biggest and most comprehensive.

(Source: VNA)