MILF Chairman Al Haj Murad on Saturday said Japan has shown its sincerity in pushing for a just and lasting peace and sustainable development in the war-ravage communities of the Bangsamoro people.The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) wants Japan to continue to play a big and active role in the peace process in the southern Philippines.As such, Murad said, it is just right to invite Japan to join the newly forged International Contact Group (ICG) that will facilitate the peace process.
The formation of the ICG was forged by the MILF Philippine government panels last September 15 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia . As agreed, the ICG will consist of interested countries accompanying the peace process preferably drawn for the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) and the European Union (EU) as well as accredited international non-governmental organizations (INGOs) and eminent persons to support the GRP–MILF peace process.Murad conveyed the gratitude of the MILF and Bangsamoro people to the Minister Yasunori Nakayama, Ozawa's predecessor, for all the contributions for the peace process.He also assured the Japanese envoy the MILF remains committed to continue the peace process with the next administration if a peace pact cannot be signed before President Arroyo's term ends on June 30 next year.
MILF officials at the meeting included vice chairman for political affairs Ghadzali Jaafar, MILF peace panel chief negotiator Mohagher Iqbal, and MILF peace panel member Michael Mastura.Other Japanese embassy officials who attended the meeting included First Secretary Yoshihisa Ishikawa, senior socio-economic adviser Tomonori Kikuchi, and Mori Yuseka.Also during the meeting, Ozawa reiterated the commitment of Japan to support the peace process in Mindanao, particularly between the government and MILF.
Ozawa acknowledged that the peace process was moving forward despite setbacks, and he called on both parties to finally resolve the conflict.He said the conflict in Mindanao greatly affects the overall state of affairs of the Philippines, and that peace and security in Mindanao is also important in the region.Murad was elated to note the reiteration of commitment of the Japanese government to help the GRP–MILF peace process through development assistance and peace building efforts.
Murad cited the importance of the development assistance of Japan to the peace process and its active participation with the International Monitoring Team, which monitored the implementation of the cease-fire and development aspect of peace process from 2006 to 2008.He said the peace process between the government and MILF is one that pushes for the implementation of development assistance with the participation of the communities involved with in place security measures while the peace negotiations are moving on.