In Palaw Township, Tanintharyi Region, six new military servicemen, including a lance corporal clerk and a corporal, have defected to the People’s Defense Force with two firearms, according to an official from the Myeik District Battalion 1. On June 21, the lance corporal clerk and corporal from Infantry Battalion 17 based in Bokpyin defected to the People’s Defense Force, Strategy 35 Area, Myeik District Battalion 1, bringing weapons and ammunition with them. The two defecting military council soldiers brought one MA-1 rifle, one MA-2 light machine gun, two hand grenades, one M-14 landmine, 15 magazines, and 790 rounds of 5.56mm ammunition.
These two military council soldiers were forcibly recruited as part of the People’s Military Service Basic Training Course 2 and had been assigned to Infantry Battalion 17. Additionally, four new recruits who were forcibly conscripted at Regional Command 12 based in Palaw town escaped before completing their military training and defected to Myeik District Battalion 1. An official from Myeik District Battalion 1 stated that they always welcome any personnel who wish to escape from under the military council’s control. The official emphasized that they extend their welcome to anyone seeking to break free from the military council’s control.
The defecting military council soldiers are being safely protected, and necessary arrangements are being made for them. Myeik District Battalion 1 continues to welcome anyone who wishes to escape from the military council’s control. They encourage those who are serving within the military council’s forces for various reasons to gather their courage and escape. While the military council continues to force civilians into military service and recruit them for military training, soldiers are experiencing oppression under the military council, leading them to escape whenever opportunities arise, according to officials.
