Captain Owl

The following story, submitted by Htet Myat, was translated and released by the team behind Breaking Brainwashed.

I would like to recount some of the experiences I had during the military operation in Bawse Kho, Karen State. At that time, my rank was Lieutenant Captain. Although there were younger ones than me in the battalion, I was supposed to be youngest when we went to front line. At that time, I had to lead over ten people. After joining together for two operations, we became very close. Being a leader, I was totally in charge of their behavior, which also reflected on me. At that time, Bawse Kho Hill was the main point where the commander lived. There were many smaller hills around there. On the foot of the hill, there was a large parking lot and a market of locals. All the soldiers there had to buy from this market. They bought things they needed, and this was also a place to rest.

One evening, that market was full of noise. I was very friendly with a woman from that market. Once we reached to Bawse Kho, we had to go to her shop to buy we needed. She was a good-hearted one who had a very loud voice when she spoke. The whole market could even hear her! She was happy when we went there and we were too. I told my soldiers ‘Guys, although she was goodwill, don’t try to push your luck or take advantage of her.’ In other words, I told them to treat her like a mother. ‘If you guys have no money to eat, don’t steal from others. Always try to help the civilians. If you can’t help, don’t be a danger to them. As I always say, I am afraid of being blamed for you guys and I promise that you wouldn’t ever be blamed because of me.’

They all usually obeyed what I said, and so they helped her as long as they could. When she was busy, we even helped at her shop! And reversely, she treated us very well, like giving us extra little treats when we came by. Sometimes, she didn’t even take money and gave us items for free! When I had no place to sleep on some nights, I went to her shop and slept there. At that time, she prepared food for my dinner. And so then, we became like a real mother and son.

One night, she told me, ‘I have something to give you, Pho Kwar’ (Pho Kwar is the nickname she called me). And then she gave me a package wrapped with cloth. Inside, I saw two muddy gold plates which the size of a hand. She told me, ‘I found them beyond my shop and there could be more. You can take them. If you give me a mine detector, I could find more for you.’ Although I was surprised, I had no desire to make myself rich.

I told her, ‘I don’t have any desire for this gold and it is not easy for me to give you a mine detector as I am the lowest tier of officer. And I know the avarice of battalion commander. I don’t want you to be in trouble. So if you want to be generous, just give some potatoes. That is what is more useful for my team.’ When I said that, she scolded me! But she also treated me more friendly as she learned my attitude and intention. She always told me to take care myself and also said that she would take care of me. At first, I thought that such words were just being friendly and polite.

But later, I always would always receive a parcel wherever I was! Once I found my name ‘Captain Owl’, I knew it was her, because she was the only one who called me that. In that parcel, there would often be such items as potatoes, cigarettes, coffee mix, dried chilis, etc. So I was sure that it was her. Because of these regular parcels, my team rarely had to worry about our next meal, as other soldiers often did, as we were given such poor rations. But I couldn’t ask her how she would always somehow know where we were, as we were in places with no phone and network connection.

After our operations ended, the time had come to go back to the battalion. When we reached to our camp, I went to meet with her as usual. When I reached her shop, she somehow knew I was on my way and had my favorite curries already cooking. Finally, I couldn’t hold my curiosity any longer. I asked her, ‘How you can send that parcel? How do you know where I was and who was the delivery man? We didn’t tell anyone where we had to go for operations, so how do you know that?’ She replied me with a smile, ”Oh dear, no one need to tell me where you were. You will realize later about that.’ In other words, she didn’t answer my questions.

I slept there and in the morning, I came back to my battalion to prepare for the trip home. Before I went, I gave her my phone number and told her to call me if she was in Yangon. But still, I worried that it would not be easy to keep in touch with her. And then I went back to Yangon.

Two weeks later, an unknown number called me and I hoped it was her. I answered the phone and I heard her voice, ‘Phoe Kwar, it’s me. I’m in Yangon as I want to go to a clinic. Where are you now? I’ll come there.’ When I knew it was her, I was very surprised and happy at the same time. The Commander also knew her, so he let me to go out with her. It was my chance to treat her well back! Once I reached my camp, the Commander said to me, ‘Hey there, the rebel leader? Is everything alright?’ I didn’t understand what he was referring to, so I responded, ‘Sorry A Ba, what’s going on?’ And he responded, ‘Huh, don’t you know? Her husband is one of the officers from other side (other side means the Ethnic Armed Organizations), and he might be one of their top strategists!”

When I heard this form the Commander, I realized how she could send me a parcel wherever I was. Actually, I thought she was just a normal middle-aged woman who cared for me like a son. But now I see, it was just the benefit of helping people with goodwill, and I got our civilians’ love back, as I gave my love to them. If every soldier treated these civilians with good-hearted kindness, I am certain that they will get their love back.

I will always remember her. When I had to go to Karen State to lead further military operations, I always looked for her, and asked about her by name. I think she will remember her ‘Captain Owl’ too! I always think how she will be happy if she may somehow know that I defected from the Tatmadaw after the coup, and joined the Civil Disobedience Movement, and now I am standing together with the civilians. 

Thank you for taking a chance to listen to my story.