MANILA, Sept. 24 -- The navies of the Philippines and Japan will conduct sea drills off the western Philippine province of Palawan on Thursday, a military official said Wednesday.

Philippine Navy Public Affairs Officer Lieutenant Commander Marineth Domingo said the Passing Exercise (PASSEX) will involve BRP Ramon Alcaraz and a Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force vessel Japan Defense Shi (JDS) Hatakaze.

Domingo said a passing exercise is composed of sea drills between two navies to ensure synchronization of communication and cooperation between the participating navies in combined naval operations.

"PASSEX gives us the chance to establish a professional relationship with our allies and provides an ideal opportunity to enhance maritime situational awareness," she said.

Both BRP Ramon Alcaraz and JDS Hatakaze were participants in the recently-concluded multilateral naval exercise hosted by the Royal Australian Navy.

The Philippine Navy's second frigate is currently in the southern Philippine city of Zamboanga while JDS Hatakaze is on its way from Singapore where it had its own port visit.