Images reveal the reception and handover ceremony for returnees underway at the South-East Command Headquarters.
As the Tatmadaw consistently prioritizes national peace and stability, counter-terrorism operations have achieved success, with areas temporarily held by terrorist insurgents fully regained. Local ethnic people have warmly welcomed and supported these efforts. With their enthusiastic backing, trust and cooperation with the Tatmadaw, members of armed terrorist organizations have come to understand the peace process. Consequently, they have been reporting to nearby local military camps and security forces to return to the legal fold.
In the latest development, 10 members of the PDF, comprising nine men and one woman, returned to the legal fold along with their weapons and ammunition. A ceremony to hand them over to their parents and guardians was held yesterday morning at Aung San Hall at the South-East Command Headquarters. Attendees included Mon State Chief Minister U Aung Win Than, Commander Brig-Gen Thura Zaw Lwin Soe, departmental officials, the returnees, and their parents and guardians.
The chief minister delivered an opening address, followed by the commander’s explanation of relevant legal matters. Subsequently, the returnees handed over the weapons and equipment they had brought with them, comprising one AK-47 rifle, three homemade guns, one pistol, one revolver, five hand grenades and five walkie-talkies. The chief minister, the commander and officials received the surrendered items.
The commander then presented monetary rewards for the surrendered weapons and equipment, including K5 million for one automatic rifle, K9 million for three homemade guns, K2 million for one pistol, K2 million for one revolver, K1.5 million for five hand grenades, and K1 million for five walkie-talkies. In addition, K500,000 was provided to the 10 returnees at K50,000 per person. The total monetary reward amounted to K21 million. Gift packages were also presented and received by the returnees.
Afterwards, the returnees signed pledges of good conduct and were systematically handed over to their parents and guardians. One of the returnees also delivered a speech expressing gratitude in response.
The 10 individuals who accepted and placed their trust in the peace process, genuinely desired regional stability, and were handed over to their parents and guardians at the ceremony comprised one man from Thingangyun Township and one man from Insein Township in Yangon Region; one man from Pyay Township in Bago Region; one man from Mawlamyinegyun Township and one man from Hainggyikyun Township in Ayeyawady Region; one man from Paung Township, two men from Bilin Township, and one man from Thaton Township in Mon State; and one woman from Dabayin Township in Sagaing Region.
These members of the PDF had reportedly returned to the legal fold because they had been forcibly recruited through coercion involving their family members and relatives. They could no longer tolerate terrorist acts committed in the interests of terrorist groups, including threatening, arresting and killing innocent civilians and civil servants, as well as detonating mines to destroy non-military infrastructure, roads and bridges.
Furthermore, they had faced internal discrimination, bullying, torture, killings and other abuses, along with poor living and food conditions. Their morale had also declined as they could no longer withstand the Tatmadaw’s counter-offensives. Having placed their trust in the peace process of the State and the Tatmadaw, they wished to live peacefully within the legal framework and contribute back to the State and the public, who had suffered losses because of their past actions. Consequently, they abandoned the armed path and returned to the legal fold.
As those returning to the legal fold are warmly welcomed, provided with necessary assistance and systematically reunited with their families, it is understood that many others also wish to return. Those who wish to re-enter the legal fold are informed that they can contact and report to nearby district or township administrative bodies, military camps or police stations. They will be welcomed, provided with appropriate assistance, and given cash rewards commensurate with the weapons and ammunition they surrender. — 100/ST
