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. 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.

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. “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.”

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