Japan cites need for Mindanao peace efforts after MSU bombing
​Japan said it will continue to support peace efforts in Mindanao as it expressed concern over the recent bombing that killed four people and wounded scores of others in the island region.
Japanese Press Secretary Maki Kobayashi said Japan is praying for the deceased while offering its sincere condolences to the bereaved families.
In a statement on Monday night, she said Tokyo firmly condemns terrorism in all its forms as "attacks against innocent citizens are unacceptable for any reason."
"Japan will continue to support the peace process in Mindanao under the conviction that stability in Mindanao is linked to peace and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific," she added.
Tokyo has been contributing to the advancement of the peace process in Mindanao as well as to the reconstruction and development efforts there.
Japan does it by dispatching experts to the Independent Decommissioning Body (IDB); dispatching development experts to the Social and Economic Development Section of the International Monitoring Team; and concentrating on the implementation of economic cooperation projects, such as extending Grassroots Grant Assistance for Human Security in conflict-affected areas (Japan-Bangsamoro Initiatives for Reconstruction and Development (J-BIRD)).
Japan also participates in the International Contact Group (ICG), which provides advice by attending peace talks as an observer.
During President Marcos' visit to Japan early this year, Tokyo also assured Manila of its commitment to strengthen, in ways commensurate to the substantive progress of the peace process, its support toward facilitating cooperation, such as vocational training for livelihood improvement and industrial development.
It also announced the provision of heavy machinery for disaster prevention and recovery equipment for the socio-economic development of the Bangsamoro Muslim Mindanao Autonomous Region during Prime Minister Kishida's visit to the Philippines in November.