Two soldiers from Infantry Battalion 53 in Pauk Khaung Township, Bago Region, have defected to the People’s Defense Force (PDF) with two firearms and ammunition, as confirmed by officials from the PDF Battalion 3601 under Pyay District Command. The incident occurred on July 9, when the two soldiers voluntarily surrendered to Battalion 3601 under Strategy Command 21 of the People’s Defense Force. The defecting soldiers brought with them significant military equipment including one MA-4 rifle, one MA-3 rifle, 384 rounds of 5.56mm ammunition, sixteen 40mm grenades, one hand grenade, and eight ammunition magazines.
The People’s Defense Force provided comprehensive medical care to the two defecting soldiers and awarded them with a honorarium of seven million kyats (70 lakhs). Additionally, local civilians contributed an extra one million kyats (10 lakhs) as a gesture of appreciation for their decision to join the resistance. The PDF has consistently maintained an open-door policy for military council soldiers who wish to defect with their weapons, promising appropriate recognition and support for those who choose to stand with the people.
This defection incident is seen as indicative of declining morale within the military council’s forces and an increasing desire among soldiers to switch allegiance to the people’s side. Analysts note that such voluntary defections from military council troops to the people’s resistance movement significantly strengthen the revolutionary forces. The PDF continues to emphasize that they will welcome and appropriately honor any military council soldiers who choose to defect with their weapons, viewing these defections as crucial steps toward weakening the military council’s grip on power and strengthening the people’s revolution. The successful integration of these defectors demonstrates the growing momentum of the resistance movement and the eroding support for the military council within its own ranks.
