Four new recruits who were forcibly detained as porters at the Northwest Military Command headquarters in Monywa, Sagaing Region, have escaped with three firearms and defected to the People’s Defense Forces (PDF). The defectors were awarded a total of 15 million kyats by the Monywa Township People’s Defense Force and Territory 2 PDF Combat Unit. The incident occurred on July 3rd when these new recruits managed to escape from the Northwest Military Command headquarters.
These soldiers were originally forcibly recruited by military council-appointed administrators who threatened wealthy families, forcing them to provide recruits as substitutes for their children. The administrators had also threatened that if the recruits attempted to escape to PDF forces during their service, not only would their properties be confiscated, but their lives would also be in danger. The Monywa Township People’s Administration awarded 5 million kyats, while Territory 2 PDF Combat Unit provided 10 million kyats to the defectors.
A representative from the Monywa Township People’s Defense Force stated that they do not subject defectors to any form of torture or abuse, and they strive to fulfill the wishes of those who were not involved in war crimes to the best of their ability. Furthermore, they have announced that they will always welcome other forcibly recruited soldiers who wish to defect to the People’s Defense Forces at any time. The treatment of these defectors demonstrates the stark contrast between the oppressive practices of the military council and the humanitarian approach of the resistance forces.
