IMT denies receiving MILF report on Mamasapano

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines  – The Malaysian-led International Monitoring Team (IMT) vehemently denied it had received the report of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) inquiry on the Mamasapano incident.

Mayor Ma. Isabelle Climaco-Salazar yesterday said the IMT made the denial during its courtesy call on her at city hall last week.

Maj. Gen. Dato Sheikh Mousin bin Sheikh Hassan, Royal Malaysian Armed Forces head of mission, confirmed this to Salazar after learning about the complaint of Sen. Ferdinand Marcos Jr. that the MILF submitted their Mamasapano report to the IMT.

“General Sheikh vehemently denied that. As head of the IMT, he even wrote to Senator Marcos that they have not received (the report),” Salazar said.

The IMT also said it has yet to receive the Mamasapano report of the Philippine National Police (PNP) Board of Inquiry.

Japan funds peace, dev’t projects

Meanwhile, Japan will fund seven projects for peace and development in Mindanao amounting to $645,879 (P27 million).

Japanese Ambassador Kazuhide Ishikawa will sign today at the Astoria Plaza Hotel the contracts with organizations for the seven social development projects in conflict-affected areas in Mindanao.

Three projects are for education, two for agriculture and two for health. The projects will be funded through the Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP) implemented by the Japanese embassy as part of the Japan-Bangsamoro Initiatives for Reconstruction and Development (J-BIRD).

Specifically, Japan will fund the construction of classrooms for Dumadalig Integrated School in Tantangan, South Cotabato; Manglicmot High School in Alamada, North Cotabato and Patadon Elementary School in Kidapawan City, North Cotabato. – With Jose Rodel Clapano