Dili, 11 March 2026 (Média Democracia) – The Executive Director of Migration Services, Superintendent-Chief of the National Police of Timor-Leste (PNTL), Natércia Eufrásia Soares Martins stated, that investigation results show immigration officer Olivio Pinto didn’t commit irregularities, did not violate rules, and did not break the law, Instead, he became a victim of an act by an Indonesian female citizen who posted a video on his TikTok account.
“But the evidence shows that the immigration officer didn’t commit any irregularities there, and he became a victim. Because of our decision that followed the law, but individuals who benefited from our decision were too happy and made a publication on TikTok, this publication damaged his image as an immigration authority and his family.” said Executive Director of Migration Services, Natércia Eufrásia Soares Martins to journalists at her office in the Ministry of Interior, Vila Verde, Wednesday (11/03/2026).
So the officer will continue his work and inform his family to trust him and not to believe information without strong evidence.
Natércia informed the process involved gathering information through Indonesian authorities and collecting all data and evidence from witnesses, physical evidence like the system and passport itself.
“Through immigration coordination with and assistance from Indonesian authorities, and the effort of our officer stationed at the border, we managed to get the individual’s passport and the stamp used when they left.” She underlined
She explained that the evidence gathered by immigration and given to the individual proves that the immigration officer followed the rules. The system shows that when a citizen confesses they lack the economic means to pay a fine for overstaying or an expired visa, we can’t detain them. Instead, we facilitate their departure but mark their passport and put an alert in the system.
Natércia said when we put that mark, by law, they can’t enter Timor for one or three years, and if they do, they’ll have to face penalties because the mark is in the system and on their passport.
“The evidence we’ve collected shows that there’s an alert on his passport, meaning he should’ve been fined, but he wasn’t. Instead, if he enters, he’ll have to pay the fine. Our system also alerts that this individual hasn’t paid his overstay fine for one day.” she emphasized.
She reported that the immigration officer didn’t break any rules and wasn’t even the one at the counter who stamped the passport, the individual works as a treasurer, collecting money from citizens who pay fines.
Besides that, the evidence on the passport shows there’s an alert that he should be fined when entering Timor, and the system also flags him for violating a one-day overstay since his visa expired a day earlier.
Natércia asks the public to verify information before sharing, and if reporting on someone’s involvement, to have some proof, so the process is fair and those who break rules face consequences.
Earlier, Executive Director of Migration Services (SM) Superintendent-Chief of Police Natércia Eufrásia Soares Martins said, a team was formed to thoroughly investigate the migration officer who facilitated an Indonesian woman with an overstayed passport, allowing her to cross the Batugade border.
A viral Facebook post on Sunday (22/2) claimed a female citizen’s passport had overstayed, but when she traveled from Dili to Batugade and showed her passport to a migration officer, the officer instead asked for her WhatsApp number and let the Indonesian citizen continue her journey without paying a fine, despite her overstay.
“The information went viral Last week, and many people shared it with me through messenger and WhatsApp, as Executive Director, I immediately took this seriously and instructed relevant directors to form an investigation team. They’re now preparing to head to the field to gather all information about this.” Commander Natércia Martins told journalists at the Migration Services headquarters in Vila Verde on Monday (23/02/2026).
She said this isn’t a new case, it happened a month ago, but only now some individuals have shared the information on media, that’s why some people are talking about it on social media.
“I, on behalf of migration services, greatly appreciate the public and all entities that consider this situation a positive thing. I, Myself have asked everyone with an interest to support us in improving state institutions so we can perform our duties well.” She stated.
She asks the public to continue observing and reporting information to Migration Services so we can keep an eye on the work our staff and members are doing.
Reporting : Esfefania
Photo : Estefania