Australia stands "ready to assist" the Philippines as government forces battle ISIS-linked militants in the country's south, defence minister Marise Payne says.
The danger of North Korea, anxiety of a coercive China and the threat of terrorism dominated talks between Australia and other regional countries at a security summit in Singapore over the past two days.
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull used his three-day visit to Singapore, to not only strengthen diplomatic ties, but touch on rising security tensions in the region.
Among the main topics on the agenda, was the rising anxiety over China's increasing power and the militarisation of islands within the vital trading route of the South China Sea.
The sentiments were echoed by US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis who criticised China's militarisation of the waters and their creation of artificial islands.
Turnbull warns against 'coercive China'
Mr Mattis noted that the "scope and effect" of China's actions showed a "contempt for other nation's interests".
This message was tempered by a welcoming of what he described as China's "renewed commitment to work with the international community toward denuclearisation" of North Korea.
Describing North Korea as a "clear and present danger", he said the "pace and scope" of its nuclearisation efforts signal a "clear intent" to acquire nuclear armed ballistic missiles.
Speaking at the end of her and Mr Turnbull's visit to Singapore, Ms Payne said on Saturday night that the concern about North Korea and the issue returning foreign fighters were the two biggest causes of concern raised with her.
The current battle in the southern city of Marawi between government forces and militants linked to the Islamic State was a reminder of what "we could prospectively come to pass" if the region was not careful.
"We have indicated to the Philippines ... we stand ready to assist if there is a request," she told reporters.
Mr Turnbull said Australia already cooperated with the Philippines to share intelligence, particularly around returning foreign fighters.
But he said the country's President Rodrigo Duterte "has a very clear view about resolving these issues in the Philippines by the defence and security agencies by the Philippines".
The focus on terrorism coincided with a gunman who stormed and torched a Manila casino, killing 36 people, which has been claimed by Islamic State, but police say was a botched robbery.
Mr Turnbull and Ms Payne are due to fly back to Australia on Saturday night, where she will prepare for a visit by Mr Mattis and US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson in Sydney on Monday for further security talks.
