Japan yesterday signed a slew of grant agreements worth more than US$500,000 for humanitarian projects in the strife-torn southern Philippine island of Mindanao.
Japan, the Philippines’ biggest aid donor, also called for an immediate ceasefire between the government and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) rebels so that both sides could return to the negotiating table.
The US$660,000 grants would fund construction of five school buildings, a potable water supply system, an education center, and an irrigation project in areas where the MILF operate, Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Makoto Katsura said.
“I sincerely hope that these projects will help mitigate the current humanitarian crisis in Mindanao,” Kutsura said. “I strongly look forward to a ceasefire and immediate resumption of peace talks between the government of the Philippines and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.”
Japan has already contributed a total of US$1.3 million to Mindanao since 2006, the ambassador said.
Manila’s chief peace negotiator Avelino Razon assured the Japanese envoy that the Philippines was committed to the peace process.
“We intend to redouble our efforts to undertake rehabilitation and development, most especially in areas where the armed conflicts have taken its toll,” he said.
Peace talks between the 12,000-strong MILF and the government were suspended in August after rebel commanders attacked several mostly Christian towns and villages on Mindanao.
The raids were prompted by a court order blocking a land deal that would have given the militants control over a large area in the south.
Over 600,000 people were displaced by the fighting that followed and nearly 300 combatants and civilians were killed or injured.
While large-scale hostilities have stopped, sporadic clashes continue. On Friday, seven soldiers and at least 20 MILF rebels were killed in gunbattles on Mindanao.
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