Palace hopeful for success of BBL, end of questions on MILF exec’s real name

From the Philippine News Agency (Apr 13): Palace hopeful for success of BBL, end of questions on MILF exec’s real name

A Palace official on Monday seconded lawmakers’ stand that the issue about the true identity of Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) chief negotiator Mohagher Iqbal should not be an issue against the on-going peace talks and hopes for the eventual resolution of this issue.

This after Iqbal said that he will disclose his real name once the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) has been passed and things begin to “normalize.”

In an SMS to reporters, Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said that “I think all parties, including the senators, agree that the nom de guerre of Mr. Iqbal should not affect the peace process.”

He said Senator Bongbong Marcos even pointed out that this issue is “tangential.”

”We hope at some point the issue of Mr. Iqbal’s true name will be resolved,” he said.

Some sectors have raised questions about the commitment of the MILF in discussing peace with the Philippine government after it was learned that Iqbal and MILF Chairman Al Haj Murad have Malaysian passports.

Palace officials have reiterated that they do not doubt the MILF’s intention in the peace process and that the government knows the real names of these MILF officials.

They also said that citizenship of these officials has never been questioned and their aliases are being used as a protection.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=752479