MILF cites Japan’s role in pushing for Mindanao peace

MANILA, Philippines — The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) thanked the Japanese government Saturday for its aid to residents displaced by the ongoing conflict in Mindanao. MILF peace panel chairman and spokesman Mohagher Iqbal said the MILF now considers Japan as a "good friend of the peace process." "We are particularly indebted to Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Makoto Katsura and the rest of his embassy staff particularly Political Minister Nakayama for helping make this aid possible," he said in an article on the MILF website (www.luwaran.net). He added that the aid is "good news for the grieving internally displaced persons in Mindanao." Last Wednesday, Japan formalized an emergency food aid involving $9.5 million or 7,500 metric tons of rice to IDPs in conflict-hit areas through the United Nations' World Food Program (WFP). The signing ceremony took place at the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) in Makati City last Wednesday. - GMANews.TV