Deserting Myanmar junta soldier arrested with 400 meth tablets in Kawthoung

A soldier who deserted from the Myanmar military junta was arrested with 400 WY (methamphetamine) stimulant tablets in Kawthoung Township, Tanintharyi Region, the Kawthoung Township People’s Defense Force (PDF) announced on 24 July, releasing a video of the arrest. The joint operation by the Kawthoung Township PDF and the Tanintharyi Region Combat Battalion took place on 19 July during a clearance patrol, in which the 25-year-old soldier, Phyo Ko Ko, was apprehended on a road. Phyo Ko Ko had deserted from Infantry Battalion (582) of the junta’s forces. According to the PDF statement, Phyo Ko Ko was a conscripted soldier. A Kawthoung Township PDF official told Mizzima that he would be processed in accordance with the laws governing prisoners of war. The soldier had undergone a three-month basic military training course (Batch 5/2024) at the advanced training school in Palaw Township. He was subsequently transferred to Karen State and Rakhine State before returning to Infantry Battalion (582) in early June 2025. In the video released by the Kawthoung Township PDF, Phyo Ko Ko said he deserted the military due to his disapproval of the bullying tactics employed by junta forces, and their killings of civilians and burning of civilian homes, which he said he witnessed firsthand.