The TV special will bring together experts, public officials, business people, and various sectors that are involved in the peace process in Mindanao.
In a press statement, ANC said among the questions that will be tackled in “Mindanao: The Way Forward” are: “Where do we go from here as far as the Mindanao peace process is concerned? What lessons have we learned? What new insights have we gained that we must apply in the future?”
Anchored by veteran journalists Tony Velasquez and Lynda Jumilla, “the show aims to bring Mindanao back on the national agenda.”
The panel of speakers represents a wide range, from the national government, business sector, military, local government, civil society, media, and the academe.
Glenda M. Gloria, ANC chief operating officer, said, "we'd like our audience—Filipinos here and abroad and all those interested in peace in Mindanao—to better understand the nuances and complexities of the current situation and come to terms with the need for a comprehensive and creative approach to it.”
"The forum will be held in Davao—to drive home the point that the best ideas on how to move forward are best discussed and implemented by the people of Mindanao themselves,” she said.
The panelists include Sarangani Gov. Miguel Dominguez; North Cotabato Vice Gov. Manny Piñol; Cotabato City Mayor Muslimin Sema; Sultan Kudarat Rep. Datu Pax Mangundadatu; MILF peace panel chair Mohagher Iqbal, MILF senior peace panel member Michael Mastura; Moro National Liberation Front legal counsel Randolph Parcasio; Assistant Secretary Camilo “Bong” Montesa of the Office of Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process; former government peace panel head Rodolfo Garcia; Marine commandant Maj. Gen. Benjamin Dolorfino; civil society representatives Raissa Jajurie of Saligan, an alternative law group; Amina Rasul-Bernardo of the Philippine Council for Islam and Democracy; Fr. Eliseo "Jun" Mercado, Augusto Miclat of the Initiatives for International Dialogue; Ateneo School of Government Dean Tony La Viña; UP Prof. Raymund Quilop; Margie Floirendo and Vicente Lao; Asia Foundation country representative Steven Rood; former peace adviser Fermin Adriano; Eastern Mindanao Command chief Maj. Gen. Raymundo Ferrer; ABS-CBN senior vice president for news Maria Ressa; ABS-CBN/Newsbreak editor in chief Marites Dañguilan Vitug, MindaNews editor Carolyn Arguillas and Undersecretary Virgilio Leyreytana of the Mindanao Economic Development Council.
ANC's partners for this show are the Canadian Embassy, The Asia Foundation, and MindaNews.
The special will be aired on Feb. 6, Friday, at 7.30 pm on ANC. Replays will be on Feb. 7, Saturday, at 7.30 pm and 12 midnight, also on ANC. (MindaNews)