Wednesday, November 13, 2019

IQBAL Curriculum Vitae



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


"Moral Governance"

English - "Good governance for a progressive and peaceful BARMM."

Sinama - "Hap pamarinta tudju BARMM na sambu maka salamat"

Bahasa Sug - "Dan mabuntul tudju pa BARMM masambu iban mahatul"

Meranaw - "Mathitu a kandatu sa BARMM ko katagompiya go kalilintad"

Slogan

"Ministry of Basic, Higher and Technical Education (MBHTE)"