President Marcos said having an annual joint military exercise with Australia is something both countries "can discuss" but its realization would depend on the situation in the West Philippine Sea.

Marcos said this following his attendance at the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)-Australia Special Summit in Melbourne where he highlighted the importance of rules-based order to maintain peace and stability in the region.

In a video where he answered submitted questions from Manila-based reporters, the President said scheduling joint military exercises would be risky.

"The scheduling of this is really a risk, [it would] really depend upon the situation in the West Philippine Sea, whether or not the threat levels and the tension levels are increasing or decreasing," he said prior to his return to Manila on Wednesday, March 6.

However, Marcos said he is not setting this possibility aside as having such exercises would benefit the Philippines.

"As to having yearly exercises, well, that's probably something that we can discuss. But again, we will have to assess the situation at the time and if we need to continue these exercises, then I think we will be able to agree on that," he said.

"This will benefit the Philippines because we are conducting these exercises so that we are able to work together with our foreign partners," he added.

President Marcos explained that having joint military exercises not only benefits the Philippines in terms of defense and security but also in disaster preparedness and disaster assistance.

"So, there are many benefits for us and I think that it is something that we should continue and should encourage," he said.

For now, Marcos said the Philippines and Australia would continue discussions given that Australia is one of only two countries with which the Philippines has a visiting forces agreement.

"Patuloy lang ang ating agreement sa kanila at patuloy lang ang ating usapan at siguro pagka may nangyari o may kailangan palitan saka natin babaguhin (We have an agreement with them and we'll continue talking. Perhaps when something happens or there is a need for changes, then we'll act on them)" he said.