A total of 506 individuals, including 453 men and 53 women, identified as members of PDF groups, who have come to accept and trust the peace processes of the State and the Tatmadaw, entered the legal fold together with weapons and munitions and were transferred to their parents or guardians.
The State Government has been inviting individuals who are within armed groups opposing the State under various names, including PDFs, to return to the legal framework, and it has been providing necessary assistance and support to those who have re-entered the legal fold.
As a result of these measures, members of PDF groups have been returning to the legal fold. In addition, Tatmadaw columns have successfully recaptured and taken control, one after another, of areas temporarily held by PDF allied groups in Mandalay Region. Local people have welcomed and supported these developments with satisfaction and encouragement. Due to the increasing cooperation, trust and support of the public alongside the Tatmadaw, terrorist members have become demoralized and no longer wish to continue resisting. Consequently, members of PDF groups who wish to abandon the armed path and live peacefully have been re-entering the legal framework, group by group, and responsible officials in the respective areas have received them.
The ceremony for transferring those who entered the legal fold back to their parents and guardians was held yesterday at the parade ground of the Central Command Headquarters. The ceremony saw Mandalay Region Chief Minister U Myo Aung, Commander Brig-Gen Aung Htay of the Central Command, responsible officials, departmental officials, those who had entered the legal fold, their parents and guardians, and invitees.
The regional chief minister first delivered opening remarks, and the commander explained matters related to legal provisions and provided awareness remarks.
Subsequently, those who had returned to the legal fold handed over weapons and ammunition they had brought with them, including 78 assorted firearms, 38 hand grenades, three communication devices, 50 assorted magazines, 3,362 rounds of assorted ammunition, 14 mines, one bullet-proof vest and five bullet-proof helmets. The commander received the items. The chief minister and the commander then awarded rewards and assistance, including K5 million for each automatic rifle, K7.5 million for each RPG, K0.5 million for each handmade firearm, K0.3 million for each grenade, K0.2 million for each communication device, K0.2 million for each bullet-proof vest, K0.2 million for each bullet-proof helmet, and K0.1 million for each person who entered the legal fold. In total, approximately K200 million and supporting supplies were provided. The individuals were then required to sign undertakings and were systematically handed back to their parents or guardians.
Afterwards, the chief minister, the commander and responsible officials inspected the arms and ammunition handed over by those who had entered the legal fold, greeted the attendees cordially and hosted them with refreshments.
On this occasion, those who were transferred after entering the legal fold included individuals from various townships in Mandalay Region and Magway Region, totalling 453 men and 53 women, making 506 persons in total.
Most of the individuals who entered the legal communities from PDF groups were reportedly forcibly recruited through threats and coercion against their family members. They stated that they could no longer accept terrorist acts, and that within those groups there were internal abuses such as hierarchy-based oppression, torture, killings and sexual violence. In addition, as the groups could no longer withstand the offensives of the Tatmadaw and morale declined, they came to accept and trust the peace processes of the State and the Tatmadaw and wished to live peacefully within the legal framework. They also expressed their desire to contribute positively to the State and the public, which had suffered losses due to their previous actions. For these reasons, they abandoned the armed path and returned to the legal fold.
Those who rejoin legal society are being welcomed, provided with necessary assistance and systematically transferred back to their parents or guardians. It is understood that there are still individuals who wish to re-enter civilian lives. Those who intend to do so are encouraged to promptly contact nearby district and township administrative bodies, military camps or police stations, where they will be welcomed and provided with necessary assistance and rewards for arms and ammunition they took along with. — MNA/KZL
