Senator Antonio Trillanes IV. SCREENGRAB from CNN
Following the death of at least 18 government soldiers after a clash with Abu Sayyaf rebels in Basilan, Senator Antonio “Sonny” Trillanes IV on Saturday said a return to the negotiating table was necessary to achieve lasting peace in Mindanao.
“The only way to deal with cessation problems is through the negotiang table. Ginawa na po natin ang all-out war, pero hindi nagwork,” Trillanes said during the first and only vice presidential debate at the University of Santo Tomas.
Around 120 bandits were encountered by the 44th Infantry Battalion on Saturday, resulting in the death of at least 18 soldiers. Nearly three dozen other government troops were also wounded.
READ: 18 soldiers dead in 10-hr clash with ASG
The soldier-turned-senator reiterated his opposition to the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law, which he described as marred with “unconstituional provisions.”
But Trillanes suggested that two autonomous regions should be created in Mindanao—one in Central Mindanao, and one in Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi.
He also underscored the importance of modernizing the Armed Forces of the Philippines and heightening intelligence operations.
“Dito po sa Abu Sayyaf, there is only the military option. Paigtingin ang intelligence operations and communications with allies… Modernize the military. Konti na lang ang sundalo natin on the ground,” Trillanes added. JE