October 17, 2012 News: Hideaki Domichi, Senior Vice President of Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), reiterated the commitment of support and cooperation of JICA for the implementation of the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro.

Vice President Domichi made this statement following the signing of the Government of the Philippines (GPH) – Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) Framework Agreement on the Bangasmoro at the Malacanang Palace last October 15, 2012.

“JICA fully supports the GPH – MILF Framework Agreement which we believe is a victory of peace in Mindanao and in the entire country,” Domichi said.

Domichi was present during the historic signing ceremony of the Framework Agreement. Mohagher Iqbal, Chairman of the MILF Peace Negotiating Panel, Atty Marvic Leonen, Chairman of the GPH Peace Negotiating Panel, and Tenkgu Dato AB Ghafar Tengku Mohamed, Malaysian Facilitator for the Talks, signed the agreement.

His Excellency Philippine President Benigno Simeon Aquino III and His Excellency Dato’ Sri Haji Mohammad Najib bin Tun Haji Abdul Razak, Prime Minister of Malaysia, amd Al Haj Murad Ebrahim, Chairman of the MILF Central Committee, led the signing ceremony.

Aslo present during the signing to manifest their support were the Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile, House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte, His Excellency Secretary General Ekmelidon Ishanoglu of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), members of the diplomatic corps and international donor agencies, and senior and top leaders of the MILF headed by MILF First Vice Chairman Ghazali Jaafar.

Japan is a member of the International Contact Group (ICG) and the International Monitoring Team (IMT) of the GPH – MILF Peace Process, and has created the Japan-Bangsamoro Initiatives for Reconstruction and Development (J-BIRD) as it mother scheme in support to the peace process.

Domichi, who is the second highest official of JICA, met with MILF Chairman Al Haj Murad Ebrahim and Mohagher Iqbal, MILF Chief Peace Negotiator, after the signing ceremony.

Chairman Murad conveyed to Vice President Domichi the utmost gratitude of the MILF in behalf of the Bangsamoro people to the Government of Japan and its people for the strong support to the peace process and the Framework Agreement.