Venidora Oliveira – The recent incident that took place in Sailari in Baucau District resulting in injuries to six police officers won't affect national security according to the Timorese National Police (PNTL) Operations Commander, Superintendent Armando Monteiro.
Commander Monteiro said police has increased patrols and strengthened security operations and will continue to ensure law and order prevails. "We are maintaining security in the country and we have operations running on the ground," said Commander Monteiro at his office in Kaikoli, Dili.
Of the six injured police officers, one male and one female police officer sustained serious injuries and are currently undergoing treatment at the Baucau Referral Hospital.
Commander Monteiro added also to the chronology of events of the Sailari incident explaining that on 15 January 2015 at approximately 4:30 p.m. police officers from the Laga police station patrolling around the area were ambushed by an unknown group.The commander declined to name the group that attacked the patrol vehicle because a formal enquiry to determine the details of the incident has not been launched yet and an operation related to the incident is still ongoing.
Secretary of State for Security Francisco Guterres believes this is a small incident that will not influence or threaten security around the nation.
SE Guterres appealed to the community to continue going about their daily activities. He urged in particular the youth not to be drawn into manipulations. "Don't be drawn into these temptations and continue doing your activities," SE Guterres added.
Meanwhile Member of the National Parliament MP Francisco Branco urged everyone not to be thinking of the incident in Baucau as being able to disturb national stability.
MP Branco urged the police to continue ensuring security is upheld so that situations such as the one that took place in Baucau will not take place in other districts. "We must all trust in the police because they are our force. We must trust and support them," added MP Branco.
Source: http://www.thediliweekly.com/en/news/news/13054-baucau-incident-will-not-affect-national-stability