Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Toshinao Urabe met Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) chairman Al Haj Murad Ebrahim at Camp Darapanan in Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao.
In a press release posted on the MILF website on Friday, it was revealed that Murad and Urabe met on Thursday (Aug. 18) and started their talks with common statements citing the success of the historic meeting between Philippine President Benigno Aquino III and chairman Murad in Tokyo, Japan on Aug. 4, 2011.
“That meeting in Japan was a significant breakthrough, a landmark progress and development for the peace process between the Government of the Philippines (GPH) and the MILF," Murad stressed, adding that both the GPH and MILF panels have agreed to fast track the ongoing peace process and negotiation.
In the same statement posted online, Murad also underscored the importance of noting that the MILF saw in President Aquino the commitment and determination to resolve the conflict within his administration.
The Japanese ambassador hailed the meeting of Aquino and Murad in Tokyo, calling on them to seize the prevailing opportunity and momentum in the peace process so that more investments will come.
The meeting had lots of light moments and laughs, showcasing the good rapport between the Japanese and Moro leaders and the Bangsamoro people. Urabe and Murad were accompanied by several Japanese and MILF officials.
“We hope that the Philippine Peace Panel shall finally submit its draft of the political compact and so that we can start the discussion on substantial agenda," Murad said, referring to the scheduled resumption of the peace talks in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia next week, Aug. 22-24.
The peace process began in 1997 with the ultimate objective of solving the conflict in Mindanao and the Bangsamoro aspiration for identity, homeland, self-governance and right to self-determination.
Japan’s involvement in the peace process
Japan is a member of the International Monitoring Team (IMT) composed of Malaysia, Brunei, Libya, Japan, Norway and the European Union (EU). The IMT is mandated to oversee and preserve the gains in the implementation of the GPH–MILF Peace Process. Malaysia has been facilitating the negotiations since 2001.
Aside from being a member of IMT, Japan is also a member of the International Contact Group for the GPH–MILF Peace Negotiations. Other members are Great Britain, Turkey, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, The Asia Foundation, Center for Humanitarian Dialogue, Conciliation Resources, and Muhammadiyyah.
“We are deeply encouraged and grateful to the robust support and assistance of Japan to the peace process," Murad said.
For his part, Ambassador Urabe said “we are committed to help achieve peace so that people in the region shall live in prosperity and stability."
He expressed appreciation for the inclusive approach that builds trust, confidence and relationships.
Keizo Takenawa, Minister for Political Affairs, Sozu Ogata, chief security, Hiroshi Yamakawa, Second Secretary, Naoyuki Ochiai, Japanese IMT member and First Secretary, and Kei Fukunaga, Japanese IMT member and First Secretary joined the ambassador for the meeting.
Chairman Murad was joined by Mohagher Iqbal, MILF Peace Panel chairman, Muhammad Ameen, secretariat head of the MILF Central Committee, Said Sheik, MILF CCCH chairman and other members of the MILF Central Committee. — Marlon Anthony Tonson/VS
