MILF: Minister Macoto Iyori of Japanese Embassy and Director Hanatani of JICA Headquarters visit MILF Leadership at Camp Darapanan

Posted to the MILF Website (Dec 4): Minister Macoto Iyori of Japanese Embassy and Director Hanatani of JICA Headquarters visit MILF Leadership at Camp Darapanan



Early morning on Wednesday, December 2, a delegation from the Japanese Embassy in Manila and JICA Officers, arrived at the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) Administrative Camp in Darapanan, Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao. 

The group was composed of Minister Macoto Iyori from the Japanese Embassy, Director Atsushi Hanatani, Infrastructure and Peace Building Dept., JICA Headquarters; Deputy Director General Kei Toyama of Southeast Asia & Pacific Regional Dept., JICA Headquarters, other officers and staff of JICA- Philippines.

MILF Vice Chairmen Ghazali Jaafar and Aleem Ali Sulayman along with other members of the Central Committee warmly welcomed the guests. Also in attendance during the program was Sammy Al-Mansour, Chief of Staff of the MILF Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces (BIAF), at the same time the Secretary General of United Bangsamoro Justice Party (UBJP).

 In his welcome message, 1st Vice Chairman Jaafar thanked the Japanese Government for its continued support, with its Comprehensive Capacity Development Project for the Bangsamoro ((CCDP-B) Programs, thru the implementation of Quick Impact Projects (QIP).

Director Hanatani said that the objectives of their visit aside from making a courtesy call, is to familiarize themselves with the  MILF leadership and the situation on the ground, pay courtesy visits to the stakeholders of the peace process in Mindanao. 

Another purpose is to convey their continuing support to the peace process, despite the delay of the passage of the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL). With or without the BBL yet, there would be a firm commitment of Japan and JICA to continue to support Peace Process, Director Hanatani added. 

Moreover, JICA will continue to extend economic support thru livelihood projects. After their visit at Camp Darapanan, they will also   attend a turn-over ceremony of a multi-purpose hall building in Simsiman, Pigcawayan, North Cotabato, on the same day. 

The multi-purpose hall building was funded by the Japanese Government through the JICA under the BTC-JICA CCDP-B.

As the short meeting winds up, Vice Chairman Jaafar, in behalf of the MILF Central Committee members expressed once again, their thanks and gratitude for Japan’s commitment in supporting the peace process in the Bangsamoro.

http://www.luwaran.com/index.php/new/item/713-minister-macoto-iyori-of-japanese-embassy-and-director-hanatani-of-jica-headquarters-visit-milf-leadership-at-camp-darapanan