Furthering the security theme that’s settled over this week, Defence Minister Richard Marles yesterday confirmed that Australia and the Philippines are in talks on undertaking joint patrols in the South China Sea. “As countries which are committed to the global rules-based order, it is natural that we should think about ways in which we can cooperate in this respect,” Marles said in a joint press conference with his counterpart Carlito Galvez in Manila. The Philippines is one of the nations in China’s way in the important trade route – and it has expressed concerns about China’s “aggressive activities” in the region. The nation has also deepened ties with the US recently, discussing similar patrols and agreeing to give US troops access to more of their military bases. Much of that is down to new President Ferdinand Marcos Jr, who took office last year – he’s taken a more pro-America approach than his predecessor Rodrigo Duterte. You could say he hasn’t been blinded by the lights…