MANILA, Sept. 17 (Xinhuanet) -- Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo Wednesday met with top officers of the Department of National Defense (DND) and ordered a realignment of the functions of the undersecretaries and other assistants of the agency.

　　"We discussed some realignment of the jobs of the undersecretaries and the assistant secretaries," said Armed Forcesof the Philippines (AFP) chief of staff General Narciso Abaya who was among those attending the meeting presided by Arroyo.

　　This is the fourth time Arroyo visited the AFP as acting defense secretary for the past three weeks. Former Defense Secretary Angela Reyes resigned from his post on Aug. 29. Abaya, without giving more details of the realignment, said this is intended to make the responsibilities of the DND officials "more logical."

　　Abaya said the selection of Reyes' successor was not discussed in the meeting, but there have been reports that Presidential Adviser on Peace Process Eduardo Ermita will be likely named to the top defense post because he is enjoying the support of former President Ramos.

　　Some military officials, however, expressed disappointment overErmita's possible takeover of the defense portfolio, saying he is as "politicized" as Reyes. Officials appealed to Arroyo to name a non-politician to "avoid perception that the military is being used for political purposes."

　　Reyes' resignation was generally perceived as a fallout of the failed mutiny on July 27 in the Makati finance center in the capital region, during which, some 300 armed soldiers wanted Reyesto quit from his post over alleged corruption activities. Enditem