The Philippines has confirmed that it is holding military drills with the United States next month in Palawan.

菲律宾政府证实，下个月将在巴拉望省与美国举行军事演习。

The exercises will take place from 16 to 27 April near disputed territory in the South China Sea.

The region has seen tension due to overlapping¹ territorial² claims involving the Philippines, China, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan.

The drills will involve 4,500 American and 2,300 Filipino military personnel, officials said.

"The cooperation between the two armed forces manifests（证明） the unswerving（坚定的） dedication³ and commitment of our security forces towards a more stable and secure Asia-Pacific region," armed forces chief Lieutenant⁴ General Jessie Dellosa said in a statement.

The US Embassy in Manila said that observers from Asean and "partner nations" have been invited.

The Philippine military did not specify⁵ exact locations where the military exercises would be carried out. Palawan island lies south-west of Manila.

"There are different places of engagements (in Palawan)," Major Emmanuel Garcia, spokesman for the Philippine contingent⁶（分遣队） , told AFP news.

Philippine officials also said the Balikatan (a Filipino word for "shoulder-to-shoulder") drills were to ensure smooth co-operation with the US during emergencies and disasters.