Jongker Rumteh, Manado – Wirabuana Military Commander Maj. Gen. Arief Budi Sampurno apologized Monday to the press for the actions of one of his soldiers who struck a reporter covering a weekend clash between members of the local combat detachment and Manado Police.

"I apologize to the press over the improper behavior during the news coverage," Sampurno said when receiving a group of people, including reporters, who staged a protest over the incident in front of the Army barracks in Manado.

One soldier was killed and six police officers seriously injured when a police truck rammed into a crowd of people during a dispute between military troops and police officers in Manado in the early hours of Sunday.

During the incident another soldier seized a camera and struck Wennsy Pantouw, a cameraman at Indosiar TV station, who later sought medical treatment for his injuries.

Sampurno, who oversees security in Sulawesi, said he supported the protesters' demand to halt violence against the press. "The role of the media is very important because through the media all information can be disseminated. I fully support freedom of the press," Sampurno said as quoted by Antara.

He promised to take stern action against the soldier. "We have to abide by the law... whether the decision will lead to his discharge or not... everything will be processed in accordance with current regulations and will be done as transparently as possible," he said.

He also said he would cover all medical expenses and other losses incurred during the incident.

Sampurno said an investigation into the clash between the soldiers and police officers would be conducted jointly by the Indonesian Military and the National Police.

"That's why I have come to Manado, to cooperate with the North Sulawesi Police regarding the investigation of the incident," he said, declining to provide a chronology of the incident.

Sampurno's spokesman, Maj. Rustam Effendi, earlier said the dispute started after a group of policemen riding motorcycles accidentally hit Army soldier Second Sgt. Husni Daud.

This sparked a response from Husni's comrades. Another soldier, Julius, demanded an explanation from the police but was not satisfied with the response, according to Rustam. A policeman then fired a shot into the air, drawing the attention of local residents, Rustam said.

Minutes later, a police truck appeared and smashed into a crowd of people at the scene, killing Second Sgt. Ferly Ahmad and seriously injuring six policemen.

Sampurno said his military command had questioned seven witnesses – three soldiers and four civilians.