Japanese Self-Defense Forces personnel use a drone to search for missing people near the Kuma River in Yatsushiro in Kumamoto Prefecture, southwestern Japan, on July 20, 2020, after flooding caused by torrential rain earlier in the month. (Kyodo)

MANILA - The head of the Philippines' military said Tuesday that the country is considering partnering with Japan to beef up its cyber defense and drone capability as part of its force modernization program.