Bangsamoro Transition Authority Chairman Mohagher Iqbal (UNTV News)
QUEZON CITY, Philippines — In the 14-hour executive session in the House of Representatives last Tuesday on the Mamasapano encounter, the issue of the MILF chief negotiators real name was again raised.
This time the Department of Foreign Affairs was asked to reveal the true name of Mohagher Iqbal.
But lawmakers were not able to get the information after Justice Secretary Leila de Lima interjected according to Zamboanga City Representative Celso Lobregat.
“Undersecretary Rafael Seguis was about to answer but Secretary De Lima interjected and in the end USec. Seguis said he needs to get clearance from higher office.”
“If we are now holding executive session precisely so the resource person can answer freely, then why restrict him?”
The lawmaker stressed that it is a bad idea to drag the president to the issue.
“I pity the president, do not drag the president in this issue because if his real name will not be revealed people will put the blame on the president.”
Lobregat insisted that under the law Iqbal is excluded from the list of personalities who are permitted to use an alias.
The congressman asserted that this would not end up to be a big issue if on the first place Iqbal already revealed his true name.
“They were the ones who made it a big issue by not revealing the name. If they revealed it that is already an act of sincerity.”
Lobregat added that it was agreed upon in the executive session that they can reveal what happened during the discussion on Iqbal’s identity because it doesn’t affect national security. (VICTOR COSARE / UNTV News)