Honorable Mohagher M. Iqbal
A revolutionary, writer, peace negotiator, man of patience and living hero.
“Mohagher Iqbal” is a nom de guerre for
Datucan M. Abas [Lubis Abas] before he joined the Moro National Liberation Front
in 1972], a member of the Central Committee of the Moro Islamic Liberation
Front and chair of both its Committee on Information and peace negotiating
panel. He joined the MILF in 1977, rose from the ranks and eventually became
the group’s spokesperson, information chief and peace negotiator.
Iqbal used the pen name “Salah Jubair” in
writing two books on the Moro struggle, namely, “Bangsamoro, A Nation under
Endless Tyranny: History of the Muslims in the Philippines” and “Long Road to
Peace: Inside the GRP-MILF peace process.” A month before the BOL plebiscite,
the Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies (CPCS) released his new book
entitled, “Negotiating Peace: An Insider’s Perspective to the Bangsamoros’
Struggle for Self-Determination.”
As chief negotiator for the MILF, Iqbal
demonstrated statesmanship, sagacity and extraordinary patience, which were
necessary in order for him to save the peace process from collapsing. He needed
to balance what is doable and what is not. On the negotiation table he needed
to fight for the rights and aspiration of the Bangsamoro people, to understand
the limit of what the Philippine government can give and cannot give, and to
always impress upon the entire nation the need for peace [which can only be
achieved through talks, compromise and trust].
He passed the tests. The MILF has
succeeded. There is now BARMM.
But many times, along the way (the long and
arduous GPH-MILF Peace Process), did Iqbal have to articulate the best way he
can the MILF’s answers to several controversial issues. For instance,
Is the MILF trustworthy after what had
happened at Mamasapano where 44 Special Action Force (SAF) troops died? Is the
MILF to blame?
Will his aliases “legally question his
ability to represent the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in its
negotiations with the government?” Is he holding a Malaysian passport?
Is the BBL/BOL constitutional?
In his letter to the Filipino people
published on GMA News Online on May 19, 2015, Iqbal presented in narratives the
arguments that would convince the Philippine government, particularly, Congress
that the immediate passage of the Bangsamoro Basic Law is the only way
forward.
He said the BBL “is the product of 17 years
of long, harsh, and difficult negotiations between the Government of the
Philippines (GPH) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF);” It is “a menu
for the unity of this country and antidote to secession;” It addresses
"the legitimate grievances of the Moros against the government;” Enacting
the BBL into law “will promote peace and security, progress, and development
not only in the Bangsamoro and Mindanao but also for the entire country;” Once
the BBL is approved, the MILF “will rejoin the mainstream society and they will
become productive … they can be a very reliable and effective partner of the
government both in nation-building and defending this country;” If the BBL is
disapproved “the MILF will eventually weaken and those espousing for radical
agenda will become stronger, because they have proved the MILF wrong in
pursuing the path of peace;” “Failure to pass the BBL will also result in
widespread frustration that can generate new anti-government activities; and,
that, “There is no other option except the option of peace that is almost equal
to the passage of the BBL. War to the government and the MILF is not an
option.”
Before his appointment to the BTA, Iqbal
has served as Chairman of the Bangsamoro Transition Commission (from 2013 to
2016). As BTA Member, he holds the portfolio of Minister of Basic, Higher and
Technical Education.
He was born in Cotabato City, grew up in
Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao, and obtained his baccalaureate and master's
degrees in Political Science from Manuel L. Quezon University.
Source : CTTO