"1. The Ministry of Defence of the National Unity Government is doing its utmost to establish the military chain of command between the People’s Defence Force and Regional People’s Defence Organisations and to establish a People’s Defence Force that fights for the security and justice of the people and that codes of conduct and rules of engagement are adhered to all the time while undertaking the people’s defensive revolution. 2. The Ministry of Defence is in the process of educating and issuing directives to the People’s Defence Force to avoid targeting the public and mitigate harm by following the code of conduct and rules of engagement and to treat suspects and prisoners humanely and interrogations done lawfully. 3. On 26th November 2021, 6 villagers from La Poh, including Ko Htike Maung and four others were wrongfully executed by members of the Yinmabin People’s Defence Force (YMB-PDF) led by Bo Thanmani. This was reported to the Ministry of Defence as a missing person incident. 4. On 3rd December 2021, the Ministry of Defence decided to form an investigation committee to probe into the Yinmabin missing person incident and a preliminary inquiry was initiated. Then together with specialists in law from the Ministry of Justice, the investigative central committee was expanded to establish a War Crime Investigative Central Commission. This investigative central commission is in the process of investigating not only the Yinmabin case, but all other related incidents and war crimes. Despite difficulties in communication, all efforts are being made to examine all related cases so that those responsible are brought to justice and justice recompensed to those affected. 5. The War Crime Investigative Central Commission filed an interim report to the National Unity Government on 17th March 2022, after a fact-finding official inquiry into Bo Thanmani, leader of the Yinmabin-PDF, 11 members of the families affected and eighth witnesses. The investigation is to continue with further examination of other witnesses and suspects. 6. Facts from the interim report: (A) Ko Htike Maung and six other villagers from La Poh village were wrongfully killed. The six villagers were from the Hero Tiger PDF group. (B) The investigation also found that in addition to the 6 villagers, 2 firemen, 1 driver and one young male, who were there to help a wounded fireman were also killed. (C) The crimes were committed by certain members of the village defence force under the leadership of Yinmabin PDF Bo Thamani. (D) The preliminary findings are that the incident took place as a result of misunderstanding and grudges held between the two groups. 7. As soon as the investigation is completed by the War Crime Investigative Central Commission, the National Unity Government will take appropriate action upon those who committed the crime. The NUG will not allow any other judgement to the findings of this incident. 8. The National Unity Government supports the essence of the people’s defensive revolution and in so doing will safeguard the security and safety of the people and justice will be brought to bear upon any person or organisation causing harm to the public in accordance with the law. 9. All the People’s Defence Force have a duty to abide by the codes of conduct, rules of engagement and a soldier’s oath of office. They are also all duty bound to avoid harming the citizens..."