Hello. From now on, we will present m.CDM’s domestic news.
Today’s news includes:
- A Philippine senator urges the ASEAN chair, the Philippines, to lead efforts to take decisive action against Myanmar’s military junta, which has committed war crimes, through international courts and the UN Security Council.
- Former ASEAN foreign ministers and former UN officials issue a joint statement calling on ASEAN to abandon the Five-Point Consensus and recognize U Win Myint as Myanmar’s president.
- KNU Brigade 5 spokesperson Lt-Col Saw Kler Doh and former student leader and geographer Professor U Hla Tun Aung pass away.
- In the bombing of Phunom village in Tedim, seven PDF-Zoland fighters and three civilians were killed.
These and other stories will now be presented.
⸻ - Philippine senator urges ASEAN chair Philippines to lead action against Myanmar junta through international courts and UN Security Council
m.CDM, May 7
Philippine Senator Leila de Lima issued a statement urging the Philippines, as ASEAN chair, to lead efforts to take decisive action against Myanmar’s military junta, which has committed war crimes, through international courts and the UN Security Council.
She also urged the Philippine government, host of the ASEAN Summit in Cebu, to take firm measures to bring about meaningful improvements in Myanmar’s human rights and political situation.
Leila de Lima warned ASEAN leaders not to be deceived by the junta’s cosmetic moves aimed at gaining acceptance from ASEAN and the international community. She said ASEAN should not recognize the junta’s sham elections held in December and January, nor the unlawful parliament convened in March that installed Min Aung Hlaing as president.
She also said the release of some political prisoners and the reported transfer of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi to house arrest after years of detention were insincere gestures, while the junta continued to intensify violence against the public.
She criticized these actions as half-hearted displays rather than genuine change.
She also pointed out that in March this year, more than 500 civilians were killed in airstrikes, making it the deadliest month since the coup.
Therefore, she called on the Philippines, as this year’s ASEAN chair, to reject the junta’s attempts to gain legitimacy, to oppose any path that could legitimize the junta through sham elections and an unlawful parliament, to demand a complete halt to all violence, to call for the immediate and unconditional release of all political prisoners including Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, and to work with ethnic organizations and civil society groups to ensure unhindered humanitarian assistance.
She further urged ASEAN to work with legitimate democratic forces toward a new federal democratic constitution reflecting the true will of Myanmar’s people; to push for accountability for the junta’s crimes through the ICC, ICJ, UNSC and other international mechanisms; and to support efforts to prosecute the junta in courts in the Philippines and other regional countries.
⸻ - Former ASEAN foreign ministers and former UN officials call on ASEAN to abandon Five-Point Consensus and recognize U Win Myint as Myanmar’s president
m.CDM, May 7
Former ASEAN foreign ministers and former UN officials issued a statement calling on ASEAN to abandon the Five-Point Consensus on Myanmar, recognize U Win Myint as Myanmar’s president, and continue excluding the junta.
The statement was signed by former Thai foreign minister Kasit Piromya, former Malaysian foreign minister Saifuddin Abdullah, former Philippine senator Leila de Lima, and Myanmar experts and former UN officials Yanghee Lee, Marzuki Darusman and Chris Sidoti.
Regarding the 48th ASEAN Summit being held in Cebu, Philippines, they urged ASEAN to give up the failed Five-Point Consensus and continue recognizing U Win Myint as Myanmar’s legitimate president.
In the joint statement issued by the Special Advisory Council for Myanmar, SAC-M, they strongly urged ASEAN to change its current outdated policy and adopt new approaches to Myanmar.
SAC-M criticized the junta led by Min Aung Hlaing for trying to normalize relations with ASEAN through purely cosmetic changes.
These include attempts to hold “illegitimate elections,” form a “fake presidency” and “fake parliament” led by Min Aung Hlaing, and the unverified announcement that detained State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi had been moved to house arrest.
SAC-M said that while making these gestures, the junta has intensified attacks on civilians. March this year became the deadliest month for civilians since the 2021 coup, with more than 500 people killed.
The former ASEAN foreign ministers and former UN officials therefore urged the Philippines, as current ASEAN chair, to use the Cebu summit to take a tougher stance against the Myanmar junta.
⸻ - KNU Brigade 5 spokesperson Lt-Col Saw Kler Doh and former student leader/geographer Professor U Hla Tun Aung pass away
m.CDM, May 7
Relevant organizations have confirmed that Lt-Col Saw Kler Doh, spokesperson for Karen National Union Brigade 5, and Professor U Hla Tun Aung, a former leader of the 1953 One-Month School Closure Movement and a geographer, have passed away due to old-age-related illnesses.
Lt-Col Saw Kler Doh, who was over 70, died on May 6 from diabetes. However, the junta has been spreading misinformation that he was killed in an airstrike.
He was known as a spokesperson who regularly provided timely information to domestic and international media about military developments in Mutraw District and humanitarian impacts on civilians.
KESAN, the Karen Environmental and Social Action Network, expressed deep sorrow, saying his passing was a major loss not only for Brigade 5 but also for the Karen revolution, and that his leadership, courage and sacrifices would always be remembered.
Similarly, retired Mawlamyine University rector and geographer Professor U Hla Tun Aung passed away on May 5 from old-age-related illness.
The All Burma Federation of Student Unions issued a condolence message on May 7.
U Hla Tun Aung was a former student union leader and was among 30 students permanently expelled for leading the 1953 school strike calling for a one-month closure.
ABFSU said it deeply honored him both as a former student leader who fought for students’ rights and as a scholar who greatly contributed to the field of geography.
⸻ - JFM condemns DCI Group’s efforts to help resolve US sanctions on Myanmar junta
m.CDM, May 7
Justice For Myanmar condemned DCI Group for working to help resolve US sanctions imposed on Myanmar’s junta and urged foreign governments, including the United States, to impose additional sanctions on the junta.
According to JFM, FARA records filed on April 29 show that the junta’s Ministry of Information signed a US$3 million contract with DCI Group and hired Roger Stone, who has close ties with US President Donald Trump, as an adviser.
“Roger Stone and other members of DCI Group lobbying for torturers are profiting from a junta that is committing war crimes and crimes against humanity with impunity and is under severe sanctions,” said JFM spokesperson Yadanar Maung.
Roger Stone is reportedly tasked with helping the fake civilian government led by coup leader Min Aung Hlaing reconcile with the US government, receiving US$50,000 per month from the junta.
JFM noted that Stone was sentenced in 2019 to three years in prison for crimes including lying to Congress, obstructing justice and witness intimidation during an investigation into Russian interference, but was pardoned by President Trump.
“Roger Stone has joined a contract with these international criminals,” Yadanar Maung said, adding that the arrangement would benefit US-sanctioned state-owned enterprises in the natural resources sector, whose revenues the junta uses to fund attacks on schools, churches, monasteries and hospitals.
JFM said the 2025 contract between DCI Group and the junta appears designed to prepare for evading US sanctions. It urged the United States, Canada, the UK, EU and Australia to impose further sanctions to close loopholes, including the junta’s use of blood money to hire lobbyists.
⸻ - Seven PDF-Zoland fighters and three civilians killed in bombing of Phunom village, Tedim
m.CDM, May 7
Ten people, including seven PDF-Zoland members and three civilians, were killed when the military commission attacked Phunom village in Tedim Township, Chin State, with drone-dropped bombs.
At around 4 p.m. and again around 7 p.m. on May 6, the junta forces reportedly bombed the AG Church and a cooking area used by revolutionary forces in Phunom village, about 25 miles from Tedim town.
Those killed included PDF-Zoland female fighters Haung Nu, Zum Nu, Sun Sun, Nyu Nyu and Sian Cing, as well as fighters Sian Taung and Lian Bawi. Three civilians cooking in the kitchen were also killed.
The AG Christian church in Phunom was completely burned down, and many local residents, including the pastor, were injured.
Salai Yaw Man, spokesperson for the Chin Brotherhood, said the attack appeared to have targeted a rear support base providing food supplies to the frontline after the junta obtained precise location information.
CDF-Tonzang and CDF-Tonzang Supporter groups, active in northern Chin State’s Tonzang area, issued statements today expressing sorrow for the fallen fighters.
The military commission recaptured Falam in late April and also retook Kennedy Peak on May 5. Fighting is currently continuing along the Tedim-Kalay road.
In Tedim town, most residents except departmental staff have fled to safer areas amid reports that urban fighting may break out.
⸻ - Seven civilians, including a child, killed by junta landmine and airstrikes in Kani, Phyu and Hpakant
m.CDM, May 7
Seven civilians, including one child, were killed and many others injured due to airstrikes and a landmine explosion by the military commission in Kani Township, Sagaing Region; Phyu Township, Bago Region; and Hpakant Township, Kachin State.
On the morning of May 7, the junta attacked an NUG hospital in northern Kani Township with jet fighters and suicide drones.
Two patients receiving treatment were killed, the hospital building was damaged, and others were injured.
At around 1 p.m., the junta also bombed the boat jetties of Thit Chauk Khin and Sha Pin Nyaung villages in Phyu Township with a fighter jet despite no fighting in the area.
Four boat workers from Htantabin Township — Ko Zaw Win Htut, Ko Than Khe, Ko Sai Ko Ko and Ko Wa Gyi — were killed on the spot, and four others were injured.
In Hpakant Township, a landmine planted by the junta exploded near the road junction by a monastery in Lone Khin village this morning. A four-year-old girl was hit in the abdomen and died.
Her mother lost two fingers in the explosion, and her uncle was seriously injured and hospitalized.
⸻ - At least seven junta troops, including a captain, killed in attack on military convoy heading to Falam
m.CDM, May 7
Local sources said at least seven junta troops, including a captain, were killed when a military convoy heading to Falam in Chin State was attacked.
The junta was reportedly bringing Non-CDM staff from Kalay in Sagaing Region to restart administrative operations in Falam when the CDF-CDM Siyin intercepted the convoy on May 6.
In the attack between Kalay and Thantlang/Thaing Ngin, CDF-CDM Siyin said it recovered the bodies of a captain from Division 77, one lieutenant and three soldiers, along with four weapons and a vehicle.
Local reports said a vehicle carrying junta lobbyist Kyaw Soe Oo was hit, but he escaped.
Chin revolutionary forces captured Falam in April 2024, but after the junta launched a large-scale offensive in October 2025, the Chin resistance forces had to withdraw on April 25 this year.
After occupying Falam, the junta has been gathering columns to launch offensives against other towns controlled by Chin revolutionary forces. It also reportedly sent more than 100 Non-CDM staff from Kalay to restart its administrative mechanism in Falam.
⸻ - Two soldiers killed, three seriously injured in mine attack on junta column from KaPaSa-22 on Pakokku-Monywa road
m.CDM, May 7
The Seikphyu guerrilla group Kyazoe People’s Defense Force LDF announced on May 7 that two junta soldiers were killed and three seriously injured in a mine attack on a military column from KaPaSa-22, the No. 22 Defense Equipment Factory based in Seikphyu Township, Magway Region.
The attack took place on May 5 near the local Thit Nyi Naung junction on the Pakokku-Monywa road against a junta column of more than 500 troops from KaPaSa-22.
The group said two soldiers were killed and three lost legs in the mine attack.
The attack was carried out jointly by Seikphyu Guerrilla Kyazoe LDF, Pakokku Township PaKaFa, and local PaKaFa groups. No revolutionary fighters were harmed.
Military records show that resistance forces in the area have repeatedly attacked junta columns operating from KaPaSa-22. On May 1, six soldiers were killed and many injured, while on May 2, two soldiers were killed and two others, including a deputy major, were injured.
⸻ - Two killed as military commission column ambushed in Launglon
m.CDM, May 7
The Duraka Column announced that it ambushed a military commission column in Launglon Township, Dawei District, Tanintharyi Region.
At around 8 a.m. on May 6, the column attacked junta troops descending from the Lekhat Taung tower hill camp toward San Hlan village.
Two junta troops were killed and one injured in the clash. The resistance forces also seized one MA-3 rifle, four magazines and 100 rounds of ammunition.
The attack was carried out by the Duraka Column of the Dawei National Liberation Army.
As military operations are intensifying nationwide, the Duraka Column urged civilians to exercise extreme caution in their daily movements.
It also invited soldiers and police who wish to stand with the people to defect as soon as possible.
⸻ - AA and allied forces advance to within about four miles of KaPaSa-16 in Pandaung and attack Point 506 outpost
m.CDM, May 7
The Arakan Army and allied forces are reportedly attacking the Point 506 outpost, located about four miles from the junta’s No. 16 Defense Equipment Factory, KaPaSa-16, in Pandaung Township, Bago Region.
After the AA captured Point 666, a key defensive outpost of KaPaSa-16, on January 28, it is now continuing its offensive against Point 506, which is closer to the factory.
The junta has reinforced the outpost to prevent its fall. Ground fighting is intense, and junta forces are reportedly resisting with daily air support.
CDM Captain Zin Yaw said that if revolutionary forces can capture Point 506, they would be in a strong position to threaten nearby Mathone village and KaPaSa-16 itself.
The current offensive reportedly involves the AA, the Bamar People’s Liberation Army, some PDF battalions from Ayeyarwady Region, and Asho Chin revolutionary forces.
There are four KaPaSa factories in Pandaung Township. KaPaSa-16 is said to be a major central facility for producing and storing aircraft bombs, mortar shells, small-arms ammunition, TNT explosives and raw materials needed by the military.
After the junta failed in February to retake Taungup, which is under AA control, from the Bago side, fighting has now spread close to KaPaSa-16. Clashes are also reportedly intense around Mathone, Pankan Kwe and Nyaung Kyo villages.
⸻ - More than 20 soldiers, including officers, from LIB 561 defected during the Spring Revolution, says Tanintharyi military command
m.CDM, May 7
During the Spring Revolution, more than 20 soldiers, including officers, from Light Infantry Battalion 561 under Military Operations Command 13 have defected to PDF battalions, according to a May 7 statement by the Tanintharyi military command and PDF Myeik District Battalion 2.
The statement followed the defection of Sergeant Min Min Soe and Private Kyaw Min Oo from LIB 561, based in Nyaung Pin Kwin West Bank village, Tanintharyi Township, at 9 a.m. on May 6, along with weapons and ammunition.
They said they defected because the junta unjustly arrests and kills civilians and discriminates against, oppresses and abuses lower-ranking soldiers.
Sergeant Min Min Soe and Private Kyaw Min Oo brought one MA-11 rifle, three magazines, 144 rounds of 5.56 ammunition, one MA-1 rifle, four magazines and 100 rounds of 5.56 ammunition.
LIB 561, based in Nyaung Pin Kwin West Bank village, has been conducting military operations around Nyaung Pin Kwin, Chauk Mile and Ban Law villages from late April until now. On April 29, allied revolutionary forces attacked the unit, killing Warrant Officer Chit San Oo and seriously injuring one corporal.
Because junta forces are active in the area and clashes could break out at any time, PDF battalions in Myeik District warned residents of Nyaung Pin Kwin, Chauk Mile and Ban Law villages to remain alert and stay in safer areas.
The news items presented above were sent in by Ko Thit and Lu Lay.