Anthony Albanese has sought to strengthen defence and security ties in the Indo-Pacific during a visit to the Philippines amid growing regional tensions.

The prime minister landed in Manila on Thursday night, ahead of a meeting with Philippines President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jnr.

It’s the first bilateral visit to the Philippines by an Australian prime minister in 20 years.

Both leaders will sign a strategic partnership between the two nations following one-on-one talks at the Malacañan Palace.

It’s expected the leaders will also sign a memorandum of understanding on working holiday visas.

Australia has been looking to step up joint military patrols in the region alongside the Philippines, in the wake of escalations over territory disputes in the South China Sea.

“The Philippines is a critical nation for Australia’s interests, we have strong economic relations,” he told reporters on Thursday.

“We also have strong co-operation when it comes to defence arrangements, and in addition to that, of course, we have a strong diaspora in Australia.”

The prime minister’s visit to the Philippines follows several ministerial trips to the Asian country to shore up defence ties, including by Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles last month when he observed joint military exercises.

Ahead of the talks in Manila, Mr Albanese laid a wreath at the Jose Rizal Monument, which commemorates the executed Filippino nationalist advocate.

Following the wreath laying, the prime minister was given a ceremonial welcome at the presidential palace, where he was greeted with a military band and Waltzing Matilda played on multiple marimbas, before he inspected the troops.

The visit is part of a growing focus on Southeast Asia by the government amid escalating regional tensions in the Indo-Pacific and Chinese aggression.

Relations have been bolstered in recent months with neighbouring nations including Vietnam, Singapore and Indonesia.

The Philippines is also one of the central focuses of the new Australian Economic Strategy for Southeast Asia to 2040, with the country one of the fastest-growing economies in the region.

President Marcos, son of the former Philippines dictator Ferdinand Marcos, assumed office in June last year.

Later on Friday, Mr Albanese will fly to India to meet with fellow world leaders in New Delhi for the G20 Summit.

– AAP