Iqbal, Murad not Malaysians – Palace

Malacañang is certain that Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) Chairman Al Haj Ebrahim Murad and Chief Negotiator Mohagher Iqbal are Filipino citizens contrary to speculations they are Malaysians.

“For the past 17 years, or dating back to the Ramos administration, Messrs. Murad and Iqbal have engaged the Philippine government in peace negotiations. Throughout this period, their citizenship has never been questioned,” Pr e s i d e n t i a l Communications Operations Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said.

Coloma said both houses have even recognized their legitimate roles in the peace process by inviting them to appear in congressional hearings.

“Mr. Iqbal reportedly said that he and Chairman Murad have only Philippine passports. Therefore, the claim cited in former Sec. (Rafael) Alunan’s Facebook post is, according to Mr. Iqbal, “… baseless,’” Coloma added.

The Palace official rushed to the defense of Murad and Iqbal after former Interior and Local Government Secretary Rafael Alunan claimed that the two MILF officers are Malaysian citizens. Alunan reportedly claimed that Murad and Iqbal travel outside the country using Malaysian passports.

Concerned about Alunan’s allegations, Davao City Rep. Karlo Alexei Nograles sought an investigation into the alleged citizenship issue hounding Murad and Iqbal before resuming the deliberations on the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL).

Nogales, a member of a House panel studying the bill seeking to create a Bangsamoro political entity, said the Mindanao peace process must be achieved without sacrificing the country’s sovereignty.