Japan dispatched a monitoring mission for the plebiscite concerning ratification of Bangsamoro Organic Law
2019/1/28
Japan Information and Culture Center (JICC) - Press Release No. 09- 2019
Japan, on January 21, dispatched a monitoring team to Cotabato City as international observers of the first plebiscite for the ratification of the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL). The mission, headed by Honorable Norikazu Suzuki, Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs, had a total of 13 members representing the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, the Office of the Cabinet Secretariat of the International Peace Cooperation Headquarters, and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
On the plebiscite day, the team visited Sero Central Elementary School in Cotabato City and observed the opening of the voting precinct, voting by registered voters and counting of the votes, and the canvassing of votes by the Cotabato City plebiscite board of canvassers. Parliamentary Vice-Minister Suzuki said he was very impressed by the passion of the voters who cared about the future of their region, and praised the dedication of public school teachers who conducted the procedure impartially with a firm attitude.
On January 22, Parliamentary Vice-Minister Suzuki and the mission met with Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Galvez and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) Chairman Murad. He explained that Japan dispatched this plebiscite monitoring mission as a partner of the Philippines, with whom it has stood shoulder-to-shoulder for more than 10 years in the Mindanao peace process. He assured that Japan will strengthen its support according to the progress of the peace process, and underscored the importance of the smooth implementation of the decommissioning of MILF combatants. Secretary Galvez and Chairman Murad both expressed their gratitude for the support and assistance from Japan, their expectations for the continuing warm relations between the two countries, and their firm resolve to implement the peace process.
On the plebiscite day, the team visited Sero Central Elementary School in Cotabato City and observed the opening of the voting precinct, voting by registered voters and counting of the votes, and the canvassing of votes by the Cotabato City plebiscite board of canvassers. Parliamentary Vice-Minister Suzuki said he was very impressed by the passion of the voters who cared about the future of their region, and praised the dedication of public school teachers who conducted the procedure impartially with a firm attitude.
On January 22, Parliamentary Vice-Minister Suzuki and the mission met with Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Galvez and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) Chairman Murad. He explained that Japan dispatched this plebiscite monitoring mission as a partner of the Philippines, with whom it has stood shoulder-to-shoulder for more than 10 years in the Mindanao peace process. He assured that Japan will strengthen its support according to the progress of the peace process, and underscored the importance of the smooth implementation of the decommissioning of MILF combatants. Secretary Galvez and Chairman Murad both expressed their gratitude for the support and assistance from Japan, their expectations for the continuing warm relations between the two countries, and their firm resolve to implement the peace process.
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| Voters making line |
Voters checking Voters list |
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| Monitoring of the voting |
Opening of the votes |
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| Parliamentary Vice Minister signing election returns as observer |
Ballot boxes gathering for Canvassing |
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| Meeting with Presidential Advisor on Peace Process Galvez | Meeting with MILF Chairman Murad |