Three new recruits from Infantry Battalion 273 in Yephyu Township, Tanintharyi Region, and Infantry Battalion 25 based in Dawei have defected to the resistance forces, bringing with them two firearms and ammunition, according to an official from PDF Dawei District Battalion 1. The three defectors were from training batch 8 and came from Myeik, Palaw, and Pyay cities respectively. All three were victims of forced conscription by the military council. The soldier from Myeik was seized during a household registration check, while the one from Palaw was captured while sleeping intoxicated by the roadside, and the recruit from Pyay was forcibly pulled from a vehicle and arrested.
The defecting soldiers brought with them two MA1 rifles, six ammunition magazines, 120 rounds of ammunition, and one hand grenade, which they surrendered to Dawei District Battalion 1. The two soldiers who brought weapons were each awarded 5 million kyats as a reward. The Dawei District Battalion 1 stated that they would escort the defectors to liberated territory. The battalion has encouraged other forcibly conscripted civilians and military personnel to contact their Facebook pages to arrange defection to resistance forces.
Simultaneously, Police Corporal Win Khine Htwe from Natogyi Township Police Station in Mandalay Region also defected to Myingyan District Battalion 8 on July 1. Although he did not bring any weapons, he was warmly welcomed by the battalion and taken to a secure location. Battalion officials stated that the defecting police corporal would be awarded a monetary reward. This series of defections represents a continuing trend of military council personnel choosing to join the resistance movement, particularly those who were forcibly conscripted into service.
