An expert group that is associated neither with the government nor the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) should be formed immediately to lay the groundwork for the resumption of the peace talks between both sides.

This was among the proposals discussed during the forum “Mindanao: The Way Forward” that was organized by ANC, the ABS-CBN News Channel, and held at the Marco Polo Hotel in Davao City.

The two-part forum—the first of its kind after the failed signing of the proposed homeland deal in August last year—brought together the protagonists in the peace process as well as nearly all the sectors that have a stake in it. It was a frank and intelligent exchange of ideas on what continues to cause the conflict in Mindanao and how the region could move forward.

“Mindanao: The Way Forward” will air on Friday, Feb. 6, at 7.30 pm and Saturday, Feb. 7, at 7.30 pm on ANC.

Irene Santiago, a former vice presidential bet and key civil society leader in Mindanao, said that the expert group could do the groundwork for both sides and submit to them a set of recommendations before the resumption of the peace talks. This will make the process more inclusive, since this group may also use the time to educate the public on the need to peacefully settle the conflict in the region, according to Santiago.

Santiago joined a spectrum of experts, public officials, business people, military officers and civil society leaders who all attended the ANC forum that was organized in partnership with Embassy of Canada and The Asia Foundation.

The other panelists were:

• Sarangani Gov. Miguel Dominguez;
• North Cotabato Vice Gov. Manny Piñol;
• Cotabato City Mayor Muslimin Sema;
• Sultan Kudarat Rep. Pax Mangundadato;

• MILF adviser Michael Mastura;
• Moro National Liberation Front legal counsel Randolph Parcacio;
• Assistant Secretary Camilo Montesa of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process;
• former presidential peace adviser Hermogenes Esperon;
   
• former government peace panel head ret. Lt. Gen. Rodolfo Garcia;
• Marine commandant Maj. Gen. Benjamin Dolorfino;
• peace adviser Fr. Eliseo “Jun” Mercado;
• peace advocates Amina Rasul Bernardo and Augusto Miclat;
   
• business people Margie Floirendo and Vicente Lao;
• Bantay Ceasefire committee head Rexall Kaalim;
• Ateneo School of Government Dean Tony La Viña;
• Asia Foundation country representative Steven Rood;
   
• former peace adviser Fermin Adriano;
• UP Prof. Raymund Quilop;
• Eastern Mindanao Command chief Maj. Gen. Raymundo Ferrer;
• Undersecretary Virgilio Leyretana of the Mindanao Economic Development Council (MEDCO);

• lawyer Raissa Jajurie;
• mindanews.com editor-in-chief Carolyn Arguillas; 
• ABS-CBN senior vice president for news Maria Ressa; and,
• ABS-CBN/Newsbreak editor-in-chief Marites Danguilan Vitug.

The forum was anchored by veteran journalists Tony Velasquez and Lynda Jumilla.

Catch the first part on Friday, Feb. 6, at 7.30 pm on ANC. The second part will air on Saturday, Feb. 7, at 7.30 pm, also on ANC.