Ezra Sihite – The commander of the Indonesian Armed Forces (TNI) Adm. Agus Suhartono said on Thursday that the 12 Marines who manhandled seven journalists during a raid on Tuesday, have now made peace with the victims.

He said the Marines had already visited the journalists who were still being treated in a hospital in Padang after the incident on Tuesday.

"It has been followed up, and in Padang, the journalists have now met with the Marines. Peace has been made and there is no problem," Agus said at the House of Representatives.

Agus said the Marines will face sanctions and would be discharged from the force if it was found to be warranted. However, Agus once again denied that the Marines were backing up shady businesses in the area.

The Marines took the side of the owners of several beach stalls in Bungus which were believed to be used for prostitution. The stalls were the target of a raid by local authorities. Four of the journalists covering the raid were beaten up by the Marines, while three others had their cameras or memory cards forcefully taken away.

Agus admitted that one of the shop owners was related to one of the Marines who happened to pass by after serving at the provincial legislative building. "Therefore, it was just a coincidence," he said.

Lawmakers have said they are planning to summon Agus to explain the incident.