Mohagher Iqbal, Chair of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) Peace panel and Bangsamoro Transition Commission (BTC) admitted yesterday, April 8 that “Mohagher Iqbal” is just one of his several assumed names as a revolutionary.
“Yes,
I have been using several names, which is natural for us in a revolutionary
organization. Marcelo Del Pilar used nine names,” Iqbal told congressmen during
the 2nd day of the Mamasapano incident”, he said. “But I am a Filipino
citizen and holds only one Philippine passport under his real name”, Iqbal
clarified.
Iqbal
however refused to reveal his real name, citing certain “sensitivities” that he
did not specify. He nevertheless offered to ask the Department of Foreign
Affairs (DFA) to furnish the House a copy of his passport.
“I have
been traveling abroad using my real name, which is known to the government,” he
said.
Prof.
Miriam Coronel-Ferrer of the GPH Peace panel in a statement also refused to
reveal the MILF peace negotiator’s real and legal name.
Iqbal also
confirmed reports quoting him as saying he could not swear allegiance to the
Philippine government until the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law was passed and
the MILF no longer considers itself as a revolutionary organization.
Answering
question from the lawmakers, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima said the law
frowns upon the use of an alias or a false name. She said the law even punishes
such use if it is intended to hide a crime.
However,
she said the signing by the MILF peace negotiator of peace agreement documents
using his assumed name does not invalidate such documents.
“I don’t
think so, as long as he does not deny his identity. But I’m not sure. This
needs further study,” she said.
http://www.luwaran.com/index.php/welcome/item/852-there-is-nothing-wrong-with-aliases-chairman-iqbal
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