MANILA, Sept. 18 (Xinhuanet) -- Philippine President Arroyo said Thursday she would appoint anytime next week a new defense secretary to fill up the post left by Angelo Reyes.

　　She will make the announcement before heading to New York next week for an official trip, the ABS-CBN on-line news quoted Arroyo as saying.

　　Arroyo, who is serving as defense secretary in concurrent capacity, confirmed reports that Presidential Adviser on Peace Process Eduardo Ermita is on her shortlist of possible replacement for Reyes.

　　Reyes resigned from his post on Aug. 29 after rebel soldiers who launched a mutiny at Makati business district in Manila on July 27 accused him of masterminding the bombings of the southern Philippine city of Davao earlier this year and selling firearms and ammunition to insurgents. Reyes has denied the allegations.

　　The mutiny was peacefully ended through negotiation more than 20 hours after it was launched. Enditem