Bagus BT Saragih, Jakarta – Indonesian Military (TNI) Commander Admiral Agus Suhartono said he had ordered military officers who allegedly assaulted journalists in Padang, the provincial capital of West Sumatra, to apologize.

"The Marine personnel did not intentionally commit violence against the journalists. There has been a misunderstanding, particularly given that the family of one of the Marines ran a shop raided by local officers," Agus told the press at the Presidential Office on Wednesday.

"It was triggered by a feeling of sympathy that a shop run by one of the Marine's family had been damaged," he added.

Agus said he had also ordered his men to return to the journalists their cameras, tapes and memory cards, which were allegedly forceably seized during the attack.

Six journalists were among a number of locals reportedly beaten up by a number of military-uniformed men in Padang on Tuesday afternoon. The attack was launched shortly after Padang Public Order Agency (Satpol PP) officers raided a number of shops allegedly offering prostitution services.

A member of the Padang Representatives Council, identified as Asrizal from the National Mandate Party (PAN), was also reportedly among the victims.

"At the time of the Satpol PP operation, a group of civilians helped raid the shops. Coincidently, a number of other Marines passed the area and stopped but the civilians wrongly perceived them as backups. This ignited hostility and triggered a clash where the journalists were accidentally involved," Agus said.

"I have ordered an investigation. Sanctions will certainly be meted out to any of my men proven guilty in the attacks," he added.