22 March 2005 – Philippine Ambassador to Bangladesh Jose Lino G. Guerrero conferred, on behalf of H.E. President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, the Ancient Order of Sikatuna, Rank of Datu, on Ambassador Mohammed Mohsin, former Bangladesh Foreign Secretary (highest ranking career official in the Foreign Ministry) and also former Assistant Secretary General of the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) at a simple and solemn ceremony held on 16 March 2005 at the Ambassador’s  residence in Dhaka.

In his report to the Department of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Guerrero said that Bangladesh Foreign Minister M. Morshed Khan, M.P. was the chief guest during the conferment ceremony, which was also attended by the Chiefs of Mission of QIC and ASEAN countries, high officials of the Bangladesh Foreign Ministry, and representatives of mass media.

Ambassador Guerrero said that the award is given to Ambassador Mohsin “for his outstanding contributions to the peace process in southern Philippines in his capacity as OIC Assistant Secretary General, which culminated in the signing of the 1996 Peace Agreement between the Government of the Philippines and the Moro National Liberation Front.”
 
In his response of appreciation, Ambassador Mohsin shared memories of the arduous negotiation process.  He expressed his gratitude to President Arroyo and her government for the honor bestowed upon him, his country, as well as the OIC family.

For his part, Foreign Minister Khan, himself a recipient of the Order of Sikatuna, spoke extemporaneously, recalling his ties of friendship, spanning several decades, with the Filipino people including his many years as Philippine Honorary Consul in Chittagong, the second largest city of East Pakistan; his closeness to the late Senator Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino; and his relations with former President Diosdado Macapagal and President Arroyo. He praised the Filipino people and the Philippine government for the success of the peace and development process in Southern Philippines.

The Bangladesh Foreign Minister thanked the government of the Philippines for bestowing on Ambassador Mohsin the prestigious Order of Sikatuna.  He said Mohsin was an outstanding diplomat, who served the nation and worked for global peace. "It's an honor not only for Mohsin, but also for Bangladesh," Foreign Minister Khan said.

In his welcome remarks, Ambassador Guerrero explained the significance of The Order of Sikatuna and expressed Philippine gratitude to Ambassador Mohsin.     He underscored the desire of the Philippine Government to obtain Permanent Observer status in QIC. - END