Chief Of Special Intelligence Police 'Betrayed' Myanmar Military Regime, Join Mass Of Protesters

Myanmar police illustration. (Twitter/@SellieSwan)

JAKARTA - A police official from the Yangon Regional Police, announced his resignation from his post and joined the mass anti-coup protesters.

The official in question is Tin Min Tun, Acting Chief of the Police Special Branch, who announced his resignation via a live broadcast on Facebook.

“I don't want to continue serving under the current military regime. That's why I joined the CDM to show that I support other government employees, "he said in the video, referring to the Civil Disobedience Action (CDM) against the February 1 coup, as reported by Myanmar Now.

He said he had worked in the Special Branch, the police intelligence wing, which primarily functions to monitor activists and politicians, since 1989. He submitted his resignation letter on Friday in protest at the return of military rule, which he said would destroy the country's future.

“If this Myanmar military regime holds power, we will not achieve what we want in the next 20 or 25 years. We will only lose again, "he said.

As the highest-ranking officer taking part in the anti-coup movement so far with Myanmar citizens, he noted that police who broke ranks to join protesters face up to three years in prison under the Myanmar Police Discipline Maintenance Law.

"I also want to tell my colleagues to do what you believe is right," he added.

Earlier this month, Myanmar police in various parts of the country joined protesters calling for the restoration of an elected civilian government, raising hopes of a mass defection by "people's police".

But recently, police have been involved in an increasingly brutal crackdown on protesters that has killed dozens of unarmed civilians, including at least 18 on Sunday.

In the video, Tin Min Tun discusses the deteriorating image of the police in the face of its role in helping the junta hold power against the will of the people.

Speaking to fellow officers, he said they should consider how they would deal with future generations, adding that many members of the army had already experienced 'discrimination' from the public for carrying out orders from the military regime.

Regarding his own future, he said he would leave it up to fate.

“If they decide to send me to prison, so be it. This is my sacrifice for my family and my country. I also want to tell my children and other family members to stay calm. I didn't discuss this with them. I did it because I couldn't control my feelings any longer," he added.

An official from the Yangon County Police Department contacted by Myanmar Now has confirmed that a senior Special Branch officer has joined the CDM.

“He is a hero. We really respect his decision,” said the officer, who did not want to be identified.

He added that he wanted to follow, but was reluctant to do so as it would not only result in a prison sentence for him but would also negatively affect his immediate family.