I Triono/ SWA & LM, Jakarta – Fabianus Tibo (55), leader of the "Red" group as well as the alleged mastermind of massacres which claimed hundreds of lives in Poso, Central Sulawesi, has been arrested. In his confession, Tibo admits killing 40 people and to receiving assistance from the security forces.
The turmoil in Poso erupted in early June in the Ampana Sub District, which has a Moslem majority, when Moslems were attacked by the "Red" group (kelompok merah), a kind of local sect who's identity is still unclear. Traditionally, 'Red' symbolises Christian and/or nationalist groups while 'white' or green is the colour adopted by Moslem groups.
An Ampana resident, Bambang Sarijo, told journalists that 27 members of his family have been slaughtered. Some of them were thrown into the local river but he was too afraid to collect their bodies for a proper funeral.
As quoted by the national Antara newsagency, Leader of the Cinta Damai (Love of Peace) task force, Captain Inf. Agus Firman Yusmono, and Commander of the Information Team from the 132 Tadulako local military command, Lieutenant Inf. Agus Salim, confirmed the arrest of the "Red" group leader.
Capt. Firman Yuswono explained that the detention of Fabianus Tibo – and not Cornelis Tibo as widely rumoured lately – began with a report filed by 17 undercover intelligence officers. Fabianus Tibo had been under surveillance since 23 July. After secretly watching Tibo's residence in the village of Jamur Jaya, Lembo subprecinct, Morowali municipality, members of the Cinta Damai task force entered his house while he was asleep and arrested him.
As they were escorting Tibo to Poso on Wednesday, the officers met two trucks full of "Red" group members but a shootout was avoided. Tibo is currently secured at the 132 Tadulako local military command headquarters in Palu, the capital city of Central Sulawesi.
The temporary investigation report at the headquarters revealed that Tibo himself admitted slaughtering 40 people from three villages, namely Sepe Silanca, Moengko and Sayo, all located within the Poso area.
"It is true that I slaughtered 40 Poso people from those three villages when the riots took place," Tibo was quoted saying. Besides commander Tibo, ten other field commanders of the "Red" group were also involved. Amongst them were Rimus and Agustisasal from Poso and Dominggus Soares from Flores.
Tibo also mentioned the involvement of security officers who supported their bloody rampage in the field when the riots took place. After the investigation at the 132 Tadulako local military command headquarters, Tibo will be brought to Central Sulawesi Police.
The reasons for the Poso riots remains largely unclear although it fed on conflict between "Red" and "White" groups in Poso. By the time the trouble died down several weeks ago, at least 4000 houses and public buildings had been destroyed and hundreds of people killed. Those who survived chose to flee from the troubled area and at least 5000 people sought refugee in East Java and safer areas on the island of Sulawesi.