Japan on Monday vowed that it will “further strengthen support” to the peace process in Mindanao.
Japanese Ambassador Koji Haneda also expressed Japan’s intention to enhance the Japan-Bangsamoro Intiative for Reconstruction and Development (J-Bird) to help Marawi City’s reconstruction as well as the government’s counter-terrorism efforts.
Haneda made the vow when he attended the groundbreaking Bangsamoro Assembly organized by the Bangsamoro Transition Commission in Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao.
Some 4,000 people from all over Mindanao, and more than a million others registered for the Assembly.
At the event, Haneda met with President Rodrigo Duterte, MILF Chairman Murad, MNLF Chairman Jikiri, BTC Chairman Jaafar, key Cabinet peace and security officials, and other major Mindanao stakeholders.
Haneda also visited the International Monitoring Team where Japan has dispatched its Socio-Economic Experts since 2006 and the Training Facility supported by the Embassy of Japan since 2012, and met with Bangsamoro Development Agency Chairman Dipatuan.