Deputy Police Officer Aye Than Tun from No. 2 Police Station in Monywa, Sagaing Region, has defected from the military council and joined the people’s side. According to a statement from Colonel Thanmani of the Monywa District Battalion 25, the deputy police officer brought with him military equipment including one G-3 rifle and ammunition when he defected. The defection took place on April 7, and was coordinated with the commander of Company 4, with assistance from local Battalion 22 to safely escort the defector.
Colonel Thanmani of Monywa District Battalion 25 stated that defectors are being safely returned to their families, and they continue to welcome and assist others who wish to defect. He added that defectors are provided with all the rights and benefits they are entitled to receive. Currently, Battalion 25 has received a total of six defectors. The battalion has also been helping rescue civilians who have escaped after being forced into porter duty by the military council.
The military council has been forcing local civilians to serve as porters and conscripting them into military service, causing many to flee. Some risk their lives to escape these forced duties. Analysts note that defections like this one, where personnel leave with weapons, indicate growing systemic collapse within the military council. The battalion continues to assist those fleeing forced recruitment and provides safe passage for defectors seeking to leave military council control, demonstrating the ongoing erosion of the council’s authority and control over its personnel.
