MANILA — President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. on Monday led a command conference at the Villamor Air Base to tackle the Philippine Air Force’s involvement in defending the country’s sovereignty and territory.

The meeting comes a week after Manila accused Beijing of trying to build new installations near Pag-asa Island, and about 2 weeks after China’s latest water cannon attack against Philippine vessels sailing within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone.

READ: China: PH presidential envoy approved 'new model' on West PH Sea

“The President was briefed on the recent activities, plans and proposed projects of the Philippine Air Force,” Communications Secretary Cheloy Garafil told Palace reporters.

“The President gave his guidance and instructions on some of the proposed programs to further strengthen the PAF as it defends the country's sovereignty, territory and development,” she said in a text message.

No further details were immediately available. But those who attended the command conference included Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro, and high-ranking officials of the Air Force.

The President is expected to meet other police and military officials in Malacañang on Monday afternoon for the oath taking of newly promoted generals.

Last year, the Commander-in-Chief said that the Philippines would modernize its air Force as a “response to the growing complication” in the South China Sea, which is “not cooling down.”

READ: Marcos: PH Air Force modernization is 'response to growing complication' in WPS

Several PAF units conducted paradrop exercises in the West Philippine Sea during the Balikatan exercises earlier this month.

RELATED VIDEO: