Cayetano: Mohagher Iqbal is Datucan Abas

From GMA News (Apr 16): Cayetano: Mohagher Iqbal is Datucan Abas

Moro Islamic Liberation Front chief peace negotiator Mohagher Iqbal’s real name is Datucan Abas, Senate Majority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano said Thursday.

In a slide presentation sent to reporters, Cayetano showed documents which he claimed states the name of Iqbal.

He said documents from a Davao City regional trial court showed that Datucan Abas Mohagher Iqbal was facing multiple murder charges for the bombing of Davao International Airport and Sasa Wharf both in 2003 and asked the court for a reinvestigation of the case.

The senator also showed a memorandum circular issued in July 18, 2003 and signed by then Interior Secretary Jose Lina Jr for the suspension of monetary rewards for the arrest of most wanted persons including Datucan Abas Mohagher Iqbal.

There was also a document granting safe conduct and free passage for MILF officials including Datucan Abas Mohagher Iqbal which was signed by then presidential adviser on the peace process and government peace panel chairman Eduardo Ermita.

Cayetano also secured documents from Manuel L. Quezon University showing that Datucan M. Abas graduated with a degree of Bachelor of Arts in 1969 and Master of Arts major in political science in 1972.

The senator said that the issue is not  just Iqbal’s identity but trust.

“Ang gusto kasi  nila ipakita sa publiko e he is the peaceful face, sa academe siya, ito yung naniniwala sa Bangsamoro…wala kasing transparency, hindi tuloy natin alam ang kausap natin,” he said in a television interview.

“Why not open all of this to everyone para makilatis natin kung sino ba ang nandyan (sa MILF peace panel), saan tayo pupunta once they become governor or chief minister. Would they go for cessation or not?” he said.

Cayetano belied the statement of government chief peace negotiator Miriam Coronel Ferrer that MILF is a nationalist organization which only wants a separate state.

“The MILF separated from the Moro National Liberation Front precisely because they want an Islamic state at sinuportahan ng some Malaysian groups. That is why the name is MILF, Islamic, and their armed forces is Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces,” he said.

Iqbal has repeatedly refused to divulge his real identity for the protection of his family.

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/471122/news/nation/cayetano-mohagher-iqbal-is-datucan-abas