CAMP SIONGCO, Awang, DOS, Maguindanao del Norte – A 25-year-old former member of the communist terrorist group has abandoned the armed struggle of the communist groups after deciding to convert to the government.
Alyas Takla presented himself to Lt. Col. Michael Angelo Candole, leader of the 38th Infantry (We Clear) Battalion at 5:00 pm on April 11, 2023 at the 38IB headquarters in Barangay Kamanga in the town of Maasim. Alyas Takla is a resident of Sitio Banate, Brgy. Nalus in the town of Kiamba, Sarangani.
According to Colonel Andre Santos, Commander of the 1st Mechanized Brigade, Alyas Takla is a member of the Guerilla Front Musa of the Far South Mindanao Region.
“Our armed struggle against the government has not brought any good. Many fell from our ranks and the innocent civilians suffered even more”, said Alyas Takla.
During his conversion, he also surrendered his war gear which was an M14 rifle along with the magazine and ammunition.
6th Infantry (Kampilan) Division and Joint Task Force Central Commander, Major General Alex S. Rillera considers the step taken by Alyas Takla as a real courage and success. “This is true courage, giving up the struggle that has once been thought to be a good intention. It was also a victory, because after a long time he woke up to the fact that he had been a victim of a false belief. And above all, this is a victory in the awareness that the answer to the problems of the Filipino masses is not armed struggle but peace and unity”.
“Our government is ready to provide services, including financial and economic assistance, to people who choose to leave the armed struggle and live a peaceful life”, Maj. Gen. Rillera.
Alyas Takla is the sixteenth victim of the wrong ideology of the communist terrorist group who recently surrendered to JTF-Central. Before this, another CTG member converted to the 1st Scout Ranger Battalion based in Carmen, North Cotabato.
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