Jayapura, Jubi – An alleged statement by the Commander of West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB), Enden Wanimbo declaring an open war against Indonesian security forces provides ammunition for those who want violence to occur in Papua, a church leader said.

Parties seeking to take advantage of that statement might use it to get funds and justify violence against civilians in Papua, Chairman of Papua Evangelical Church Synod, Benny Giay. Civilians could become victims of that vague statement, he said.

"Those who are currently playing game take advantage of the statement, for instance to get financial support by legitimizing the security operations and strengthening the public opinion on the presence of separatists in Papua," Giay told Jubi at the Sentani Airport, Jayapura Regency this week.

He said all parties should verify the truth or whether it was really Enden Wanimbo who made the statement. "Is it true or it was just cited from other parties? We must check who spoke on behalf of him," he said.

Last week, some Indonesian media outlets reported Wanimbo's statement of war threats against the Indonesian Security Forces and non-Papua civilians. In responding the reports, Filip Karma asked Papuans to learn the reportages about Papua to verify between hoax and the fact.

"We have to learn to identify who's the journalist and who's the agitator," said Karma who recently refused a pardon from the Indonesian President Joko Widodo. (Mawel Benny/rom)

Source: http://tabloidjubi.com/en/2015/05/28/benny-giay-enden-wanimbos-war-declaration-needs-to-be-verified/