Japan Peace Process Amb. Koji Haneda with Nur Misuari.

Japanese Ambassador Koji Haneda received the “Peace Process Champions Award” which recognizes the steadfast commitment of the Japanese government to and support for the Philippine Comprehensive Peace Process, at the Closing Ceremony of the 2019 National Peace Consciousness Month at Philippine International Convention Center, Pasay city.

Through the Japan-Bangsamoro Initiatives for Reconstruction and Development or J-BIRD program, Japan has contributed over 5 billion Yen (approximately 2.5 billion Pesos) since 2002 to Mindanao’s conflict-affected areas to enable its people to realize the dividends of peace. Since 2006, Japan has deployed socio-economic development experts to the International Monitoring Team (IMT). Japan also facilitated the meeting between then-President Benigno Aquino III and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) Chairman Murad Ebrahim in Narita, Japan in 2011, a watershed event that led to the successful signing of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro in 2014.

Japan’s commitment to the Mindanao peace process goes beyond the successful ratification of the Bangsamoro Organic Law last January. It will continue to assist in the normalization process, which involves the decommissioning of MILF combatants and improvement of their livelihood. At the same time, it will also contribute to the capacity development of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority and personnel for the success of the Bangsamoro autonomous region.