Introduction
During the Spring Revolution, which aims to overthrow the military dictatorship, the stench of the 3Ps has spread throughout the country. Only by swiftly addressing and halting the spread of this news can the petals of the Spring Revolution bloom with pride. Therefore, reforming the 3Ps should become a top priority for the National Unity Government (NUG), alongside military, political, and international affairs.
This week’s Bi-Weekly News Review by Burma News International (BNI) and Myanmar Peace Monitor (MPM) highlights the events and data surrounding the responsibility, accountability, and necessary reforms to address the mess created by the 3Ps during the Spring Revolution.
3Ps means….
The People’s Administration Team (PAT), People’s Security Team (PST), and People’s Defense Team (PDT) are collectively referred to as the 3Ps. The PATs were initially formed under the directive of the Committee Representing Pyidaungsu Hluttaw (CRPH), even before the formation of the National Unity Government (NUG). However, since the NUG was established, the integration, connection, and the relationship between the pre-existing PATs and the NUG have yet to be clearly defined.
The pre-existing PATs fall under the responsibility of the CRPH. These teams are to be composed of at least 11 members, including MPs, Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM) participants or representatives, youth, and community leaders at the township, ward, and village-tract levels. 1 The PAT shall be accountable to and cooperate with the government formed by the CRPH only once a union government is established.
Subsequently, U Lwin Ko Latt, Acting Union Minister for the Union Government Office formed by the CRPH, granted official recognition to the PATs as entities with the authority to exercise local administrative power. On 3 March, it was announced that PATs would be established in the remaining townships without PATs by 10 March 2021. 2
After the formation of the National Unity Government (NUG) on 16 April 2021, Interim Local Administrative Implementation Central Committee was established under the NUG. According to the committee’s statement on 20 March 2024, People’s Administration Teams (PATs) were formed in 174 townships across Myanmar. These included 39 townships in Yangon Region, 35 in Sagaing Region, 27 in Mandalay Region, 23 in Bago Region, 22 in Ayeyarwady Region, 18 in Magway Region, and 10 in Tanintharyi Region. This represents up to 85 percent of all townships in the seven regions. However, Township People’s Security Teams (PSTs) and Township Police Forces have only been established in 49 townships in Sagaing Region, Magway Region, Mandalay Region, and Tanintharyi Region. 3
“The Interim Local Administrative Implementation Central Committee is chaired by NUG Prime Minister Mann Win Khaing Than, with Union Minister for Home Affairs and Immigration U Lwin Ko Latt acting as vice-Chair. Almost all ministries under the NUG are involved in the central committee. The leadership of the 3Ps is included within the structure of the PATs. However, the PDTs operate under the command and control of the Ministry of Defense within the NUG. The PDTs hold an advantage in terms of armament over the PSTs. As a result, the PATs rely on the People’s Defense Forces (PDFs) and the PDTs under the Ministry of Defense to ensure public security and regional defense, which have been integrated into the structure of the PATs.
Regarding the current situation of the 3Ps, U Lwin Ko Latt said:
“We try our best, but we also make mistakes. There are the 3Ps, who are abusing the rights they’ve been given. However, I want to emphasize that we have gained control of these areas thanks to the 3Ps. We couldn’t manage these areas with the PDFs alone. The contribution of the 3Ps to the revolution is immense. There are also those who are like mouse droppings mixed with the monks’ rice. Complaints committees have been established to ensure timely checks and balances on these issues. The committees are actively scrutinizing and taking action. With the President’s guidance, we are planning to open NUG combined offices on the ground to oversee work in each district and township.” 4
The Stench of the 3Ps
The sexual assault of a female detainee at the Public Security Detention Center-2 in Kanbalu Township, Sagaing Region, has not only tarnished the image of the National Unity Government (NUG) but also undermined the core values of the Spring Revolution. It is questionable that, to date, the Ministry has not provided any clear solution to the “Sexual Violence Complaint from Kanbalu Detention Center,” which was submitted to the People’s Police Force Headquarters under the Ministry of Home Affairs and Immigration, led by U Lwin Ko Latt, since 15 June 2023.
The NUG’s interim administrative bodies, including the Township People’s Administration Team (PAT), Township People’s Defense Team (PDT), Township People’s Security Team (PST), and the Township Justice Department, are operating in Kanbalu Township, which has established strong governance. However, a series of serious complaints have emerged, tarnishing the reputation of these bodies. These include allegations of sexual exploitation and abuse of power by U Mae Khaung (also known as U Myint Zaw Oo), the head of the Township PAT, as well as an attempted rape by U Ar Kar, a member of the Township PST, against a female detainee. Additionally, a complaint was made by Police Sub-Inspector Ma Shine Zarni regarding U Ye Yint (also known as Lin Yone), the head of the Township People’s Police Station. These complaints came to light in May, June, and July of 2023.
Regarding all three incidents, two Kanbalu Township judges submitted a “Report of All Findings” to the NUG Ministry of Justice’s Prisons Department on 6 July 2023, with copies addressed to relevant department heads, including the NUG Acting President, Prime Minister, Home Affairs Minister, Justice Minister, Human Rights Minister, Women, Youth, and Children Affairs Minister, Region-level PDT heads, and the No.1 Military District Commander. Then, on 11 August 2023, complaints regarding U Ye Yint (also known as Lin Yone) and U Ar Kar were again filed with the Ministry of Human Rights. As of 1 March 2024, no specific response or resolution had been provided regarding the complaints against U Ye Yint (also known as Lin Yone), U Mae Khaung (also known as U Myint Zaw Oo), and U Ar Kar. Notably, U Mae Khaung (also known as U Myint Zaw Oo), an MP representing the National League for Democracy (NLD) for Sagaing Region Parliament, continues to carry out the duties of the Township and District PDTs. 5
On 1 January 2025, the 25-year-old victim, who had experienced rape and threats by U Mae Khaung (also known as U Myint Zaw Oo), filed a complaint herself. On the same day, the 29-year-old victim of rape by U Aung Zeya, who was serving as the head of the Township People’s Police Station in place of U Ye Yint (also known as Lin Yone), also filed a complaint. However, nearly a month after the case was opened, the suspect has neither been arrested nor investigated, according to Ko Thu Rein, the head of the Kanbalu Township PST.
Ko Thu Rein said: “We are working on the ground. The accused is not an ordinary person; he is performing duties at the township level. The ministry should conduct a departmental investigation swiftly. There are difficulties that could pose dangers to the other party if the news leaks out.” 6
In his “message to the Public and International community” on 4 March 2025, NUG’s Ministry of Government Office Spokesperson U Nay Phone Latt stated that U Mae Khaung (also known as U Myint Zaw Oo), U Ye Yint (also known as Lin Yone), and U Aung Zeya, who are accused of committing sexual violence, have been arrested and are currently under investigation. Additionally, he mentioned the killing of Father Donald Martin, 44, from Kan Gyi Taw village in Shwebo District, Sagaing Region. 7
Related findings
On 14 February 2025, Catholic priest Father Donald Martin – Ye Naing Win from the Catholic Archdiocese of Mandalay was murdered by an armed group at Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Kan Gyi Taw village, located on the border of Shwebo Township and Wetlet Township.
The People’s Defense Force (PDF) Shwebo District Battalion (5) and the Station People’s Defense Team under the NUG Ministry of Defense jointly arrested ten suspects. The arrested individuals are members of the local defense force from Ta Ohn village, located about seven miles from Kan Gyi Taw village. Five guns and the knives used in the killing were seized during the operation. According to recent investigations, as the suspects are members of the armed group, the NUG Defense Ministry, which has formed a tribunal to investigate and will take legal action. 8
On 20 September 2024, a 35-year-old man from Sar Htone village was shot dead by a member of the People’s Security Team, who was on security duty, claiming that the man had entered the Textile Factory No.6 in Salingyi Township, Sagaing Region. In response to this incident, more than 100 locals from Sar Htone, Duhtauk, Kyaukhmaw, Taw Kyaung, Yaekhar, and Yae Hmain villages in Salingyi Township staged a protest on 26 September against the 3Ps formed by the NUG. 9
As the NUG’s People’s Administration Team (PAT) split into two factions—east and west—in Htilin Township, Magway Region, more than 1,000 locals from over 30 villages in the township staged a protest on 8 January 2024. The protesters rallied, holding banners with slogans such as “Don’t want a power-hungry District PAT,” “Don’t want four Myats who split Htilin Township into two,” “The emergence of a township PAT that can implement NUG’s policies,” and “MOHAI implements the will of the people.” 10 (Note – MOHAI refers to the Ministry of Home Affairs and Immgration under NUG.)
To sum up, as Union Minister U Lwin Ko Latt stated, just as the importance of the 3Ps in the territorial control of the resistance forces is recognized, special attention must be given to ensuring that acts of violence, extrajudicial killings, and beatings committed against detainees and local civilians are not ignored or concealed.
Even strike groups, which have been actively participating in unarmed peaceful protests to end the military dictatorship and build a federal democratic union, are still facing obstruction by the 3Ps under the NUG.
Review
Union Minister U Lwin Ko Latt said that out of more than 80 cases filed with the NUG, Ministry of Defense and Ministry of Home Affairs regarding the 3Ps, actions have been taken against only 11 cases, while the remaining cases are still under investigation. He said that actions have been taken against PATs from seven townships in Sagaing Region. The entire PAT has been temporarily suspended. In six townships, some members of the PAT will be replaced. 11
Nevertheless, it is crucial to bring justice for cases such as violence against the public, killings, and beatings by the 3Ps in the controlled areas across the country, including sexual violence and exploitation through the abuse of power in the detention center in Kanbalu Township. The entire National Unity Government (NUG) must be held responsible and accountable for ensuring that the true perpetrators are not exempt from punishment.
It is essential to urgently address any actions without delay that undermine the public’s trust in various resistance forces, including the NUG, which claims to be resisting the junta based on public support. The reform of the 3Ps, which is desired by both the resistance forces and the public, must be guided by clear transparency, responsibility, and accountability.
It is observed that the changes within the NUG, including the reform of the 3Ps, are critically important to serve as a source of strength for both the public and all resistance forces.
1 Interim Public Administration Program, CRPH, 22 Feb 2021
2 The Ministry of the Union Government Office has approved public administration bodies as organizations that can exercise local administrative authority.
3 Announcement on the implementation of interim local administration and public services
4 “These areas can be controlled thanks to 3Ps”–NUG Home Affairs Minister, Myanmar Now, 24 Jan 2025
5 sexual exploitation with Abuse of power at Kanbalu detention center, Irrawaddy, 1 March 2024
6 Sexual violence at Kanbalu detention center, for which NUG shall be responsible, Honest Information, 24 Jan 2025
7 Press Briefing (5/2025) “Message to the Public and international.
8 NUG expresses condolences over the killing of Catholic priest, Irrawaddy, 18 Feb 2025
9 Locals protest against 3Ps over the killing of a man at Textile Factoy in Salingyi,
MFP, 28 Sept 2024
10 More than 30 villages stage public protest for the formation of new people’s administration team in Htilin Township, MPA, 8 Jan 2024
11 NUG takes action against seven people’s administration teams in Sagaing Region, RFA, 11 Sept 2024