The chief negotiator of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) admitted on Wednesday that “Mohagher Iqbal” was only an alias but refused to make public his real name, which he said was known to the government.
Iqbal made the revelation during the House of Representatives investigation into the botched Mamasapano operation as he belied reports that he was a Malaysian citizen.
Stressing that he was a “Filipino,” the MILF chief negotiator said that the use of aliases was common practice among revolutionary groups.
“I have so many names. That is natural in revolutionary organizations,” Iqbal said then cited Filipino hero Marcelo del Pilar who used several aliases.
“Just for the record, for instance, one of the national heroes Marcelo Del Pilar listed here nine names,” Iqbal told lawmakers.
Iqbal was responding to a question by Ang Nars Representative Leah Paquiz who asked him to comment on reports that he was using an alias, like in his passport, after the Bureau of Immigration said that “Mohagher Iqbal” was not in its travel records.
Speculations were also rife that Iqbal is actually a Malasyian citizen. Iqbal has denied the allegation.
On Tuesday, Davao City Representative Karlo Nograles said the use of aliases violated the Revised Penal Code and the Anti-alias law which prohibit the use of pseudonyms in public documents.
Paquiz however did not pursue this issue.
The chamber is conducting its investigation on the botched Jan. 25 raid that succeeded in killing international terrorist Zulkilfi Bin Hir alias Marwan but led to the death of 44 SAF commandos, 18 MILF fighters and five civilians.