Datucan M. Abas[1], better known by his nom de guerre of Mohagher Iqbal[2], is a Filipino politician and former rebel who is a member of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front. He served as chair of the group's peace panel.
Mohagher Iqbal | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority Parliament | |
| Assumed office March 29, 2019 | |
| Nominated by | Moro Islamic Liberation Front |
| Appointed by | Rodrigo Duterte |
| Chief Minister | Murad Ebrahim |
| Bangsamoro Minister of Basic, Higher and Technical Education | |
| Assumed office February 26, 2019 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Cotabato City, Philippines |
| Military career | |
| Allegiance |  MNLF (formerly) MILF |
| Years of service | 1972-1977 (MNLF) 1977- (MILF) |
| Battles / wars | Moro conflict |
Education
editIqbal was born in Cotabato City[3] and grew up in Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao. Iqbal attended the Manuel L. Quezon University where he obtained both his bachelor's and master's degree[4]
Career
editIqbal joined the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) in August 1972 after he returned from Manila. Later he joined the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), then known as the New MNLF Leadership. He served in various posts in both the MNLF and MILF.[4]
Iqbal is a member of the MILF Central Committee, and chair of MILF committee on information. He is also the peace negotiating panel of the group since July 2003.
When the Bangsamoro Transition Commission was formed he was nominated by his group to serve as chair of the peace commission.
Names
editIqbal said that "Mohagher Iqbal" is just one of his aliases, which he said is natural of those who are part of revolutionary organizations.[2] His real name along with Murad Ebrahim's became an issue for former DILG secretary, Rafael Alunan III, who says that they travel using a Malaysian passport when travelling to Malaysia for peace talks, disputing their citizenship. Iqbal said that the government are aware of their true names while Miriam Coronel-Ferrer insists they are Filipino citizens.[5]
His real name was alleged to be "Datucan M. Abas" by Senator Alan Peter Cayetano but in April 2015, Iqbal says that he will neither confirm or deny the claim by Cayetano but will reveal his true name at the "proper time and proper venue". He questioned the motives of the senator saying it might be an attempt to derail the peace process.[6]Iqbal would use the same name in legal documents such as the 2025 Bangsamoro Parliament election.[1][7]
Iqbal also authored books under the pen name "Salah Jubair".[5] Among his works are the Bangsamoro: A nation under endless tyranny and The Long Road to Peace: Inside the GRP-MILF Peace Process which are about the Moro conflict.[8]
References
edit- ^ a b Fonbuena, Carmela (November 9, 2024). "List: Nominees of BARMM political parties for the May 2025 parliamentary polls". Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism. Retrieved November 14, 2024.
- ^ a b Cabacungan, Gil (April 9, 2015). "Iqbal: Yes, I have many aliases". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved February 27, 2016.
- ^ Casauay, Angela (March 16, 2015). "Iqbal releases copy of Philippine passport". Rappler. Retrieved February 27, 2016.
The passport – issued by the Department of Foreign Affairs Office in Cotabato City – shows that his nationality is Filipino and he was born in Cotabato City
- ^ a b "Transition Commission - Members' Profiles" (PDF). Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process. Retrieved February 27, 2016.
- ^ a b Magno, Alexander (March 16, 2016). "MILF is not sincere, says former DILG chief Alunan". CNN Philippines. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved February 27, 2016.
- ^ Sabillo, Kristine Angeli; Nawal, Allan (April 16, 2016). "Iqbal refuses to confirm or deny he is 'Datucan M. Abas'". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved February 27, 2016.
- ^ "Who is Mohagher Iqbal in real life?". Philippine Muslim Today. July 30, 2024. Retrieved November 14, 2024.
- ^ Arguillas, Carolyn (November 28, 2007). "Salah Jubair is Mohagher Iqbal, the MILF peace panel chair". Darapanan, Sultan Kudarat: MindaNews. Retrieved February 27, 2016.