Iqbal: Even PNoy’s father used an alias

Mohagher Iqbal, the chief peace negotiator of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), on Wednesday remained tight-lipped on the issue of his real name, refusing to confirm nor deny media reports about it.

Seeking to downplay his use of an alias, Iqbal said even Philippine heroes, including slain Senator Benigno Aquino Jr., father of incumbent President Benigno Aquino III, used noms de guerre.

“Kahit na si Marcelo Del Pilar siyam po ang pangalan, at maging ang tatay ni Presidente na si Ninoy Aquino, in his passport, his name was Marcial Bonifacio. So normal po iyan. I don't know how it has become a very big mountain out of a molehill,” Iqbal told GMA News TV's “Balitanghali” in a live phone-patch interview.

A radio report on Tuesday quoted sources from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Congress as saying that Iqbal's real name is Hassan Abdullah Muhammad, and that he was born in Cotabato City on February 14, 1947.

Prior to that, a newspaper report on Monday said Iqbal's real name is Lubis Abas and that he was born in Datu Odin Sinsuat in Maguindanao.

Iqbal neither confirmed nor denied both reports. “The alleged name as my real name does not come from me, so I cannot comment on that directly,” he said.

He, however, maintained that he has no ill intention in using an alias, adding he is only doing for security reasons. “Normal iyan sa leaders ng isang revolutionary group, para maprotektahan namin ang aming seguridad at seguridad ng pamilya namin.”

Iqbal also said that the members of the government peace panel who negotiated the peace agreement with the MILF were aware of his real name.

“Alam na alam nila yan. There is nothing, I think, that can be hidden from the government,” he said.

“But there is no point of disclosing it at this point in time. I think it is not really an issue at this point in time,” Iqbal added.

Iqbal's use of an alias was first revealed during last week's hearing at the House of Representatives on the January 25 Mamasapano incident.

Since then, several legal experts and lawmakers, including Sen. Bongbong Marcos, questioned the legality and motive of Iqbal for using an alias, saying it might have implications on the validity of the peace agreement between the MILF and the government.

In a House hearing last week, Davao City Rep. Karlo Alexei Nograles said that Iqbal's use of an alias in the peace agreement is not allowed under Article 178 of the Revised Penal Code and the Anti-Alias Law under Commonwealth Act 142 as amended by Republic Act 6085, which prohibits persons from using pseudonyms in any public transaction or public document.

Malacañang, however, said the peace agreement between the MILF and the government remains valid despite Iqbal's use of an alias in signing the deal.

DFA Secretary Albert Del Rosario likewise confirmed that Iqbal has a valid Philippine passport where his real name is written. Del Rosario, however, refused to reveal Iqbal's real name, saying the DFA needs to consult legal counsel first. —Elizabeth Marcelo/KBK, GMA News