Japan commends Aquino-Murad meeting in Tokyo

The Japanese Foreign Affairs Ministry on Friday commended the meeting between President Benigno Aquino III and the leader of Moro Islamic Liberation Front in Tokyo on Thursday. The meeting between Aquino and Al Haj Murad Ibrahim, chair of the central committee of the MILF, "became a meaningful opportunity for smoothly proceeding with the Mindanao peace process," Japan’s Foreign Affairs Ministry said in a statement. A first since government-MILF negotiations started 14 years ago, the meeting was held in secret in Japan – a nearby venue described as "secure" by chief government negotiator Marvic Leonen. "Japan is pleased to have been able to contribute to the realization of the meeting," the Japanese Foreign Affairs Ministry said, noting that the Philippine government thanked Japan for hosting the meeting between Aquino and Murad. It added: "Japan strongly expects that both parties will continue sincere talks based on the result of the meeting and reach the final peace agreement at an early stage." Meanwhile, Japan remains committed to helping rebuild and develop Mindanao, its Foreign Affairs Ministry also said. — Paterno Esmaquel II/RSJ, GMA News