(CNN Philippines) – Malacañan said Monday (April 13) that the true identity of Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) chief negotiator Mohagher Iqbal should not serve as a stumbling block in the ongoing peace negotiations between the government and the MILF.
The Palace’s reaction came on the same day Iqbal, citing security risks, pleaded with the senators to not force him to disclose his real identity during Monday’s resumption of the Senate hearing on the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL).
Iqbal earlier said that he would reveal his real name once the proposed BBL has been passed and things begin to “normalize.”
But according to Secretary Edwin Lacierda, presidential spokesperson, Iqbal’s true identity has nothing to do with the ongoing peace talks.
“I think all parties, including the senators, agree that the nom de guerre of Mr. Iqbal should not affect the peace process,” Lacierda said.
”We hope at some point the issue of Mr. Iqbal’s true name will be resolved,” he added.
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 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.
Philippines News Agency contributed to this report.
