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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Tuesday, September 23, 2003

Arroyo nominates new Philippine defense secretary

Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo nominated Tuesday Presidential Advisor on the Peace Process Eduardo Ermita as the new defense secretary to replace Angelo Reyes who resigned last month.


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Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo nominated Tuesday Presidential Advisor on the Peace Process Eduardo Ermita as the new defense secretary to replace Angelo Reyes who resigned last month.

Arroyo, who had taken over the post of defense chief since Reyes' resignation, made the announcement through her spokesman Ignacio Bunye two days before her slated visit to the United States and Europe.

Ermita, a former general, was chosen for his experience and stature, according to Bunye. He had served as defense secretary in an acting capacity before Reyes.

Ermita has been leading a government panel negotiating a peace deal with the 12,000-strong separatist group Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). A ceasefire has been observed by the group and government troops since early August this year.

Some top officials in the military had reportedly complained about Ermita's possible nomination, saying that he was as "politicized" as Reyes, and that his nomination would create a wrong impression that the armed forces have become political tools.

Some 300 soldiers and officers briefly sieged part of the Makati financial center in Manila on July 27, demanding the resignation of Arroyo, Reyes and other ranking officials over alleged corruption. The government, however, described the resignation of Reyes as a "sacrifice" and noble action.


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