Mohagher Iqbal denies to reveal his true identity, says he doesn’t own a Malaysian passport

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After the Mamasapano incident, Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) Chief Peace Negotiator Mohagher Iqbal surfaced in the senate hearings on the Bangsamoro Basic Law. During the ongoing investigations, Senator Bongbong Marcos started to question Iqbal’s real name, but the latter refused to disclose his identity.

What is Iqbal’s true identity? Why is he using an alias? Find out more in this recap of his interview for ‘Bawal ang Pasaway’ along with Philippine Council on Islam and Democracy (PCID) Chair, Amina Rasul.



Iqbal, an alias

Iqbal started using an alias in 1975, the time when Martial Law was still in effect in the Philippines. He was already part of an ongoing revolutionary struggle in Mindanao against the government during this time and he had to hide his identity for security purposes.

“Kapag nag-umpisa [ka] ng isang revolutionary struggle kailangan talaga ng secrecy. You really have to conceal your identity for [the sake of] your family, your relatives,” Iqbal said.

But Martial Law ended in 1986 because of the People Power Movement. Why is it that 29 years after Martial Law was lifted. he still uses an alias?

Iqbal explained that until things go back to normal, he will continue using this name.

“‘Yung BBL (Bangsamoro Basic Law) nasa kongreso pa po, hindi pa normal. Kapag everything is normal we'll have a full disclosure kung ano ang identity natin,” he explained.

If Rasul were to be asked about Iqbal’s use of an alias, she said that it should not be an issue.

“One has nothing to do with the other. Kilala naman at tinanggap na ng peace panel ang katauhan ni Chair Iqbal at ‘yung 18 years [niya as peace negotiator, na-establish na ang] trust at confidence sa isa't isa,” Rasul said.

Mareng Winnie tried to ask Iqbal if his real name is Datucan Abas, a name brought up by Senator Alan Peter Cayetano in an interview.

Iqbal quickly replied saying, “I cannot confirm, I cannot deny.”

Owning a Malaysian passport

Apart from hiding his real name, another issue facing Iqbal is the allegation that he owns a Malaysian passport. Senator Marcos said that if Iqbal uses an alias, his citizenship can also be questioned.

Iqbal confirmed that he owns a Philippine passport but never a Malaysian passport.

“I don't bring a Malaysian passport. It's always a Filipino passport. I've been travelling to Malaysia, I think one or three times [and] I use the same passport,” he said.

Mareng Winnie asks what name appears in his passport, then? Is it Iqbal?

“Certainly not,” he replied. -Gerald Vista/BMS