Story highlights Russian admiral says wider war games possible with Philippines, China, Malaysia

Chinese aircraft carrier conducts drills in South China Sea

(CNN) Two Russian warships arrived in the Philippines this week as Moscow looks to play a bigger role in the contested South China Sea.

The Russian destroyer Admiral Tributs and the sea tanker Boris Butomato, arrived in Manila on Tuesday for what the Philippine Navy termed a goodwill visit.

Philippine Navy public affairs officer Lued Lincuna said there would be no joint exercises in the next five days, however, the idea of future joint exercises is under discussion.

According to a report from Russia's state-run Sputnik News , Russian Navy Rear Adm. Eduard Mikhailov said the Russian ships would be conducting joint exercises with Philippine forces to fight maritime piracy and terrorism.

Officials held a press briefing during what was described as a "goodwill visit."

The Sputnik report termed the exercises "an unprecedented navy-to-navy contact" between Russia and the Philippines.