Moro Islamic Liberation Front chief peace negotiator Mohagher Iqbal. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO/RAFFY LERMA
For those skeptical of the peace process, the pseudonymous
Mohagher Iqbal is equated with deception, dishonesty and trickery on the part
of the secessionist Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), which concluded a
political settlement with the government after 17 years of negotiations.
To his comrades and colleagues in the MILF, he is simply “IQ
or Sir IQ.” The use of this nickname to refer to Iqbal soon gained currency
among journalists, civil society groups and international development
organizations.
organizations.
But for those who know him, the nom de guerre Mohagher Iqbal
stands for a mild-mannered, softhearted and straightforward individual who has
dedicated more than 40 years of his life to the struggle for self-determination
of the Muslim people of Mindanao .
The preface to his 2007 book (writing under the name Salah
Jubair), “The Long Road to Peace,” is revealing of the character of this now
controversial man: “In the course
of reading this book, readers may find some statements or passages offensive,
but let me assure you I never intended to hurt people. I merely wrote what I
think should be written for people to know, to agree or disagree with.”
of reading this book, readers may find some statements or passages offensive,
but let me assure you I never intended to hurt people. I merely wrote what I
think should be written for people to know, to agree or disagree with.”
Longest-serving negotiator
Iqbal has chaired the MILF’s peace negotiating panel since
July 2003, having been a member
in previous years. As such, he has had the longest involvement in the peace
negotiations, in both government and MILF panels.
in previous years. As such, he has had the longest involvement in the peace
negotiations, in both government and MILF panels.
“Be tough on issues, be soft on people,” is the principle
that has guided him throughout the negotiations, Iqbal once told the Inquirer.
He is one of the main signatories of the Comprehensive
Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB), along with government chief negotiator
Miriam Coronel-Ferrer. He has affixed his name to the major documents that
embody the consensus of the parties in the negotiations, which form the core of
the CAB, which in turn was the main reference used to draft the proposed
charter of a new autonomous entity to be called the Bangsamoro.
Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB), along with government chief negotiator
Miriam Coronel-Ferrer. He has affixed his name to the major documents that
embody the consensus of the parties in the negotiations, which form the core of
the CAB, which in turn was the main reference used to draft the proposed
charter of a new autonomous entity to be called the Bangsamoro.
This is what lawmakers find so troubling, that the MILF’s
main negotiator and signatory to the peace agreement was using an alias,
raising legal questions about the documents
he signed and calling into doubt the sincerity and good faith of the rebel
group.
he signed and calling into doubt the sincerity and good faith of the rebel
group.
In fact, nobody knew who he really was as Iqbal has declined to disclose his real name, saying that it was known to the Department of Foreign Affairs which issued him a passport.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.