Ko Aung Soe, who was forcibly recruited as a new soldier for military training batch 12 after being transferred from Ranong, Thailand to Kawthaung, has defected to the People’s Defense Force in Kawthaung Township. After being sent to Battalion 431 based in Kawthaung by the terrorist military, he underwent one month of training. He escaped on April 17th, and it was reported that there were a total of 103 military trainees, most of whom were from Tanintharyi Region.
In Sagaing Region, two new military recruits who were forcibly conscripted by the terrorist military council – Deputy Corporal Phyo Thiha and Private Maung Thet – defected while being forcibly deployed to upper Sagaing Region after completing refresher training at Division 77 in Bago. The two have been reunited with their families. Private Maung Thet was forcibly taken from his home while Deputy Corporal Phyo Thiha was arrested while processing his ID card at the ward administration office.
In Bokpyin, Tanintharyi Region, Private Aung Ko Ko from Battalion 224 also defected without weapons. He is from Taku village in Tanintharyi Region and had served in the military for one year. People’s Defense Forces are safely accepting those fleeing from the military and welcoming those who wish to switch sides to join the people. They are also arranging to provide honorary support funds for those who have defected.
