Ex-defense chief Reyes heads anti-kidnap drive

Former defense secretary Angelo Reyes is now the country’s anti-kidnapping czar.

In naming Reyes to the Cabinet-rank post, President Arroyo gave him supervision over the Anti-Kidnapping Task Force and the Police Anti-Crime Emergency Response.

Presidential Spokesman Ignacio Bunye said the functions and powers of Reyes as anti-kidnapping czar will be spelled out in an executive order to be issued by Mrs. Arroyo.

Reyes was highly recommended for the post by the business community, he added.

However, Defense Secretary Eduardo Ermita said he was not aware that his predecessor had been given a new job.

"But that would be a demotion... because (he) is already ambassador-at-large for counter-terrorism," he said.

Ermita made the statement at a luncheon of the Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines, which he attended with Mrs. Arroyo yesterday at the Hotel Dusit in Makati.

Last Sept. 26, Mrs. Arroyo named Reyes ambassador-at-large for counter-terrorism after he resigned as secretary of defense.

Mutinous military officers demanded the dismissal of Reyes when they launched an uprising at posh apartment in Makati’s central business district last July 27.