Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Richard Marles said Wednesday they are looking at ways to conduct joint patrols in the South China Sea and more military exercises with the Philippines.

"(We are) looking at ways which we can pursue joint patrols together in the South China Sea, and looking at ways in which we can do more exercises together," Marles said during the joint conference held at the Department of National Defense headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City shortly after his meeting with DND officer-in-charge Senior Undersecretary Carlito Galvez Jr.

No other details were given on how this proposal will be carried out.

In line with this development, Marles said Australia is sending one of its largest contingents ever to this year's iteration of "Exercise Balikatan," which will take place in April.

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