South Korean Defense Minister Yoon Kwang Ung paid a courtesy call on President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo at Malacaņang Palace’s Music Room this morning.

Minister Yoon was accompanied by Korean Ambassador Hong Jong Ki, Korean Deputy Minister for Policy Ahn Kwang Chan and Major General Ha Jung Yul, executive assistant to the Minister.

Also present during the Korean official’s call on the President were National Defense Secretary Avelino Cruz, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) vice chief of staff, Vice Admiral Ariston de los Reyes, and senior military assistant Col. Carlos Holganza.

According to Cruz, the President and Yoon discussed the possibility of further expanding the defense ties between Korea and the Philippines.

"Basically, what was discussed during the call was the expansion of defense and military cooperation between the Philippines and the Republic of Korea," Cruz said.

The topics included the "exchange of schooling" for officers of both countries and the exchange of skills and training of the two countries’ national disaster management programs.

"We will compare notes on each country’s defense reform program so that we may come up with ideas on how to implement these programs," Cruz said.

He added: "We are also looking into the possible exchange of schooling of officers so that our armed forces (and the Korean military) will get to know each other better," Cruz added.

Describing the RP-Korea ties as one of the "most enduring in Asia," Cruz said that President Arroyo was upbeat about the prospects of stronger ties between the two countries.

He also said that the President was ecstatic over the growing number of Korean tourists visiting the country.

The spiraling oil prices in the world market pose a threat to the stability of prices of basic commodities and services. We are now faced with an inevitable global trend that remains beyond the control of the government.

Be that as it may, the entire team of the President is tirelessly looking for means in order to mitigate and calibrate the inevitable.

We are watching out for the impact on the poorest sectors and the Government is working with the oil companies and the business sector on safety nets, as well as a hold on price hikes as long as possible.

Let me emphasize that at this time Gen. (Delfin) Bangit has not been reassigned. If it comes later, which we expect it as a matter of course as has happened to previous heads of the PSG (Presidential Security Group), it will be in the interest of the service and also a career development opportunity for Gen. Bangit.

It is our understanding that within the year, a number of star rank officers will be retiring.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and Datuk Othman Abd. Razak, newly appointed adviser of Malaysian Prime Minister Dato Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, underscored today the need to fast track the government-Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) peace talks.

The Malaysian official called on the President in Malacanang this morning to discuss issues of mutual interest to the Philippines and Malaysia, notably the GRP-MILF peace process. Malaysia hosts the peace talks.

A statement released by Malacanang following the meeting of the President and the Malaysian official said both GRP and the MILF were fully committed to the peace process.

"Both sides are very optimistic that an agreement on the issue of ancestral domain can be achieved sooner than expected and this may well lead to the Final Peace Agreement," the statement said.

The President-Datuk Othman meeting also "underlined the need for support by the international community to the peace process. The international community is welcomed to play its constructive role, particularly in capacity-building which could bring about further progress and advancement to the peace process," the statement said.

The meeting also discussed the possibility of widening the membership of the International Monitoring Team (IMT), which is presently composed of Malaysia, Libya and Brunei.

The President and Datuk Othman agreed on the need for the Philippines and Malaysia to continue to work together until peace and stability in Southern Philippines is achieved.

The Chief Executive thanked the government of Malaysia for its continued support to the Philippines particularly in the ongoing peace negotiations with the MILF.

Malacanang said today Presidential Security Group (PSG) head Brig. Gen. Delfin Bangit has not been reassigned or replaced.

Press Secretary and Presidential Spokesman Ignacio R. Bunye made the clarification in a statement this afternoon to debunk speculations that the Palace is replacing Gen. Bangit amid renewed threat of a coup d’etat.

"Let me emphasize that at this time, Gen. Bangit has not been reassigned," he said. "If it comes later, which we expect it as a matter of course as has happened to previous heads of the PSG, it will be in the interest of the service and also a career development opportunity for Gen. Bangit."

Newspaper reports quoting an unidentified military analyst have speculated on the departure of Bangit as a sign that paranoia has set in in Malacanang amid threats of another coup in the offing.

The analyst, a former military officer, said Bangit's departure could have been prompted by a security lapse and not by questions on his loyalty.

Bunye said Bangit belongs to that breed of military officers steeped in professionalism and loyalty to the flag.