A spokesperson from the Myingyan District Battalion 4 Natogyi PDF has confirmed that five military servicemen from a military column that entered Natogyi Township, Mandalay Region, have defected to the People’s Defense Force with their weapons and ammunition. In early March, when a military council force of approximately 200 personnel entered Natogyi Township, Private Myint Naing, Private Aung Naing Moe, Private Htet Aung, Private Win Naung, and Private Zaw Myo Naing contacted the Battalion 4 and Battalion 10 of Natogyi People’s Defense Force in Military District 1, Mandalay Region’s Myingyan District, and defected with their weapons.
The defectors were individuals who had been forcibly conscripted as porters and later recruited as military servicemen by the military council. They had completed the 6th batch of military training and were assigned to Infantry Battalion 235. They brought with them one MA-3 rifle, one MA-1 rifle, four ammunition magazines, 600 rounds of 5.56 ammunition, and one 60mm shell. The PDF forces warmly welcomed them, provided monetary rewards for bringing weapons and ammunition, and helped transport them to liberated areas according to their wishes. The defectors’ families were also relocated to safe areas and provided necessary assistance.
A representative from Myingyan District Battalion 4 Natogyi PDF stated that those wishing to defect have better opportunities to escape in central Myanmar regions like Mandalay Division. They assured that regardless of where defectors flee to, they will be connected with nearby battalions and units, and necessary assistance will be provided. The amount of reward money for defectors is determined based on the weapons they bring and their level of commitment. The PDF continues to provide comprehensive support, including the safe relocation of family members of those who defect and monetary rewards for those who bring weapons when defecting to the resistance forces.
