A new military recruit from Nat San Kwin Guard Post in Kyauktaga Township, Bago Region, has defected to the People’s Defense Force’s Strategy 25 Battalion 2 with his weapon, as confirmed by the battalion commander. The incident occurred on September 7, when the soldier brought with him an MA rifle, five magazines, and one hundred and fifty rounds of ammunition. The defecting soldier was from Training Batch 13 and had received his training at the Advanced Training School in Oktwin Township.
The soldier, originally from Thanthawakone village in Monywa District, had fallen victim to deception by a job recruitment agency while seeking employment in Myawaddy. He was subsequently sold into military service against his will. Currently, he has been moved to a secure location where he is receiving necessary assistance. The battalion commander stated that they have submitted a request to higher authorities regarding an honorary reward for the defector, though it has not yet been approved.
Battalion 2 of Bago District has now received thirty-five defectors from the military in 2025 alone. The battalion commander emphasized that those who have been forcefully recruited or pressed into porter service by the violent military council are welcome to contact revolutionary forces to defect. He noted that the increasing number of daily defections with weapons serves as testament to the possibility of escape for those willing to take the risk. The revolutionary forces continue to welcome those who wish to leave the military council’s forces, demonstrating that with determination and courage, liberation from forced service is possible.
