MILF’s Iqbal finally faces Mamasapano probe

Mohagher Iqbal, chief negotiator for the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). MAILA AGER/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — Mohagher Iqbal, chief negotiator for the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), finally appeared on Thursday at the resumption of the Senate investigation on the Mamasapano encounter where 44 elite policemen were killed.

MAIN STORY: Iqbal: We trust Aquino, gov’t panel even more to pursue peace talks with MILF

Iqbal was invited but did not show up in the past two hearings of the Senate committee on public order, joint with committees on peace, unification and reconciliation, and finance conducted last Monday and Tuesday.

Instead, he sent a letter dated Feb. 9, 2015 to Senator Grace Poe, head of the committee on public order, to inform that the Central Committee of the MILF has accepted the invitation and designated him to appear on its behalf.

But in that letter, Iqbal also requested that his appearance should be in an “executive session.”

Poe earlier said they would decide on the request at the resumption of the hearing.

Aside from Iqbal, other resource persons invited  in the hearing were still the same personalities who appeared in the previous hearings like resigned Philippine National Police Chief Director General Alan Purisima, relieved PNP-Special Action  Force Director Getulio Napeñas, PNP officer in charge Deputy Director General Leonardo Espina Local Government Secretary Manuel “Mar” Roxas II, Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of  Staff General Gregorio Pio Catapang, Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima, presidential adviser on peace process Teresita Deles, among others.

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