Japan wants peace monitors to extend stay in Mindanao

Japan called yesterday for an extended stay for the International Monitoring Team (IMT) in Mindanao, even as Malaysia decided to pull out its ceasefire monitors because of the lack of progress in the peace process between the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

In a statement released by its Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Japan said it highly appreciates the role of the IMT and hopes that it would stay longer in the troubled South.

Japan said the IMT has played an important role in “promoting the Mindanao peace process, including monitoring the implementation of the ceasefire agreement.”

Japan called on the government and the MILF to return to the negotiating table and “make efforts to break the deadlock with a flexible attitude.”

Malaysia is pulling out its remaining contingent in the IMT whose stint ends tomorrow, after a three-month extension.

Japan said it was concerned about the “worsening situation” in Mindanao since the aborted signing last Aug. 5 of the memorandum of agreement on ancestral domain.

“Japan strongly requests both the government of the Philippines and the MILF to exercise self-restraint so that the situation in Mindanao will not worsen,” the statement of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs read.

Malaysia said it would consider deploying its ceasefire monitors again if there is progress in the peace negotiations.

“Malaysian remains supportive of the peace process and hopes that both sides opt for dialogue and negotiations in bringing about a peaceful solution in Mindanao,” Malaysian Foreign Minister Dr. Rais Yatim said in a statement the other day.

Despite its decision, Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Hermogenes Esperon Jr. thanked Malaysia yesterday for heading the IMT, which also has had monitors from Libya, Brunei and Japan.

But Malaysia’s move, he said, “will not deter us from seeking ways and means in pursuing the resumption of the stalled peace talks.”

Armed Forces chief Gen. Alexander Yano said local peace mechanisms should be allowed to work in Mindanao despite the absence of the IMT.

“The IMT withdrawal is a golden opportunity for the (government) and MILF to prove that peace talks can be restored and pursued even without an international ‘watchdog‘ or ‘referee,’” he said in a statement. – With Jose Rodel Clapano and James Mananghaya