Japan vows to support GRP-MILF talks

The Japan government has assured to pour in more assistance in support to the ongoing peace process between the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). Makoto Katsura, Ambassador of Japan to the Philippines, made the announcement at a meeting with MILF Central Committee headed by Chairman Al Haj Murad Ebrahim at Camp Darapanan, Sultan Kudarat, Shariff Kabunsuan, Friday. “The government of Japan remains steadfast in its commitment to support the peace process in Mindanao…Japan has a moral obligation to help its neighbors in Asia without any political ambition and interests other than sincere hope that we will be of help to nation-building efforts," Luwaran quoted Katsura as saying. Vice Chairman of the MILF for Political Affairs Ghazali Jaafar, MILF Peace Negotiating Panel Chairman Mohagher Iqbal, Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces chief Sammy Al Mansoor, MILF CCCH Chairman Von Al Haq and senior members of the MILF Central Committee were also present at the meeting. Political Minister Yasonori Nakayama, First Secretary Yoshihisa Ishikawa and Japanese IMT member Nagaishi Masafumi accompanied the ambassador. In an article posted Saturday, Luwaran said Murad cited the assistance of Japan as it significantly complements the peace process particularly on the socio-economic aspect. Murad also asked the Japanese government, through Ambassador Katsura, to assist as well in the political aspect of the peace process. In response, Katsura said the Japan Embassy would seek ways to assist in the political aspect in close coordination with the government of Malaysia. Malaysia acts as the third party facilitator for the ongoing peace process, especially on the peace negotiations. The MILF Chairman informed Katsura of the result of the latest special meeting in Kuala Lumpur, which resulted in the ironing out of some obstacles on the territorial agenda of the peace talks. Murad sees more challenges, even more difficult ones, as the peace talks are scheduled to proceed sometime in November this year. He believes with strong political will, especially on the side of the government, all the obstacles along the way will be overcome, thus, leading to the forging of the comprehensive peace pact between the government and the MILF. “I see more challenges ahead on the political negotiations. That is why we need more help from the international community and the local key players of the peace process," Murad said. Various Japanese development projects in millions of pesos were already implemented and more are underway under the mother program, Japan-Bangsamoro Initiatives for Reconstruction and Development (J-BIRD). A study for the socio-economic reconstruction and development for the conflict affected areas in Mindanao (SERD-CAAM) by Japanese experts and consultants in cooperation with the Bangsamoro Development Agency (BDA) and Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) has been ongoing for nearly a year. SERD-CAAM will be used by the MILF as the master plan and guidelines for development programs and initiatives in the future. Aside from socio-economic development assistance and infrastructure projects, Japanese assistance will also focus on peace building and conflict resolution. Katsura also on Friday turned over a P2.8-million project of Japanese Embassy called Training Center for Women in Simuay, Sultan Kudarat. The training center will cater the capability building programs for the widows of Bangsamoro Mujahedeen. The training will be a prelude for livelihood ventures of the widows. “I have full confidence that this building and the training services it will offer will remind us all of our collective efforts to improve human productivity of the Bangsamoro women toward self-reliance and eventually contribute to achieving the ultimate long-term goal for peace and harmony in Mindanao," Katsura said. Before Katsura flew back to Manila, he had a brief dialogue with the students of Sultan Kudarat Islamic Academy where he encouraged children to value education in pursuit of happiness and related how Japan made its economic progress after the World War II. - AMITA LEGASPI, GMANews.TV