Moro Islamic Liberation Front chief peace negotiator Mohagher Iqbal. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO/RAFFY LERMA
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) confirmed Wednesday that Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) chief negotiator Mohagher Iqbal has a valid Philippine passport.
Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario, in an interview with the ABS-CBN 黑料社 Channel鈥檚 鈥淗eadstart,鈥� issued the statement after reports have surfaced that Iqbal holds a Malaysian passport and is not a Filipino.
READ: Iqbal, Murad may be using different names in passports, says BI
听
Del Rosario said MILF chief negotiator Iqbal carries a valid PH passport 鈥渟upported by his personal record.鈥�
鈥淭hat鈥檚 the extent of my knowledge,鈥� Del Rosario said, adding that he has not seen Iqbal鈥檚 passport.
Del Rosario, however, said that the DFA would have to seek counsel before it could disclose Iqbal鈥檚 real name.
In March, Iqbal has provided the media a scanned or photographed copy of his Philippine passport, however, some of his personal details, including his legal name, were covered in ink.
READ:
This is to refute reports that he holds a Malaysian passport and is not a Filipino.
During the senate investigation on the Mamasapano debacle, Iqbal has admitted that the name 鈥淢ohagher Iqbal鈥� was an alias, which is one of the several others he uses.
READ: Iqbal: Yes, I have many aliases
Iqbal pleaded with senators to not compel him to reveal his true identity, citing security risks to him and his family.
The MILF chief negotiator has declined to disclose his real name but has said that the DFA has issued him a passport. IDL