11/22/22, 4:37 PM Pro-military death squad rallies openly on social media | Frontier Myanmar A pro-military Facebook account which claims to be a member of Thwe Thauk Apwe and uses the group’s logo as its cover banner. (Frontier) Rule of law collapses On April 29, a pro-military media outlet called Myanmar Gon published an interview with a supposed spokesperson of Thwe Thauk that was widely shared on pro-military Telegram channels. The spokesperson listed the five categories of people targeted for murder: PDF fighters and their families, PDF fundraisers and their families, journalists who are “selling out the country” and their families, family members of those living abroad who are “inciting murder”, and those who encourage violence against military supporters online. A sixth category, those who encourage “social punishment” of military supporters, would have their property, such as businesses and cars, destroyed. He said Thwe Thauk was formed by “people who truly love their nation and country and who want to see Myanmar develop and prosper”, and they were planning to establish groups in 14 townships, across Nay Pyi Taw, Yangon, Mandalay and Sagaing. “It will be done nationwide,” he said. U Aung Thu Nyein, with the Institute for Strategy and Policy – Myanmar, said the emergence of these groups and the continuation of anti-military assassination campaigns represents “the collapse of the rule of law”. Many are questioning if the military is behind Thwe Thauk, particularly given it has admitted supporting Pyusawhti groups. Aung Thu Nyein said it is difficult to say for certain. “One thing is for sure, there seems to be financial backing and power behind them,” he said. Gil from Amnesty pointed out that the junta has made “no substantive effort” to combat the murder campaign. “At the very least it is allowing this group to run amok with impunity,” she said. NLD supporters are in no doubt, however. “Our people believe that [Thwe Thauk] is led by the military and working with the police,” said Aung Myint, the Sein Win Win customer. https://www.frontiermyanmar.net/en/pro-military-death-squad-rallies-openly-on-social-media/ 5/9