Issue over Iqbal alias political not legal problem, senators say

TWO senators have said the issue over the use of Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) peace panel chair Mohagher Iqbal of an alias is a political, not legal, problem.

This is because the MILF as a revolutionary group does not subject itself to the country’s present laws and therefore Iqbal’s use of alias should not be looked at from the legalistic lens, Senator Teofisto TG Guingona III said during the resumption of the Senate hearing on the Bangsamoro basic bill, which seeks to implement the peace deal with MILF.

“Conceptually, (the MILF) is outside the ambit of the law. That’s why they are called rebels to the government, so rebels do not recognize the law,” Guingona said.

“Therefore, it is not proper to look at this problem using the eyeglasses of a legal framework. This is something bigger than legal. This is political,” Guingona said.

Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. agreed, saying he wants Iqbal to reveal his true identity because the public deserves transparency in the peace talks.

“Pakiramdam ng taumbayan, bakit hindi nagsasabi ng totoo? Kawawa na masyado ang Republika ng Pilipinas yung kausap natin sa negosasyon, hindi magsabi ng tunay na pangalan,” Marcos said during the hearing.

Marcos said Iqbal’s revealing his real name is crucial to build confidence on the ongoing peace talks.

“The problem at the moment is a political one. Ang tao hindi maunawaan kung bakit ang hinaharap ng MILF sa atin bilang chief negotiator ayaw ibigay ang tunay na pangalan,” Marcos said in a press conference.

“Public support is absolutely critical in this entire process. Kami binoto kami ng tao, we have to reflect the sentiment of the ordinary Filipinos,” he added.

Senators critical of Iqbal’s use of alias said the nom de guerre puts to question the sincerity of the MILF in the peace process that will be implemented by the BBL.

Iqbal during the hearing pleaded to senators not to compel him to reveal his identity, citing security risks to himself and his family members who share his name.

Marcos said security should no longer be an issue because Iqbal is a public figure already.

Iqbal is accused of using different names in his passports, especially after the Bureau of Immigration said the name Mohagher Iqbal is not in its travel records.

Speculations were also rife that Iqbal is actually a Malaysian citizen. Iqbal has denied the allegation.

The peace panel and even Justice Secretary Leila De Lima have said Iqbal’s use of aliases does not invalidate the peace deal documents. AC