Dili, 01 Abril 2026 (Média Democracia) – PNTL General Commander, Assistant Police Commissioner Afonso dos Santos asks Maritime Police Unit not to get involved in illicit activities.
Assistant Commissioner says that in illicit activities where people bring goods from Indonesian Sea to Timor Sea, according to information, Escudra police are involved.
“I don’t want to hear Maritime Police members are involved, I’m happy with the big boats, so I ask you all to keep them up. And I’ll see what you need.” Commissioner Afonso told reporters after visiting the Maritime Police Unit at Lesidere Station Tuesday (31/03/2026)
Besides that, the PNTL General Commander, Assistant Police Commissioner also asks Maritime Police Unit members to work with dignity.
“Work with dignity, work with order, command responsibility. I want you to work together with F-FDTL especially the Naval Component.” Added PNTL General Commander, Assistant Police Commissioner
During his tenure as General Commander, he will prioritize three units, namely the Special Police Unit, Maritime Police Unit, and Border Patrol Unit.
“In my mandate, I’ll look after UEP, UPM, and UPF. I want these three units to advance and develop during my tenure because they’re important, and in bad situations, these units will intervene.” Asserts PNTL General Commander, Assistant Police Commissioner
He’s committed to focusing on equipment and resources in the Police Units during his mandate.
“My thinking is that I’ll lead PNTL, these three units need to advance. We have recruitment, and in that recruitment, we’ll train young ones for the future. I ask all members to keep working, as General Commander, I will see what you need.” Informs PNTL General Commander, Assistant Police Commissioner.
On the same occasion, Maritime Police Unit Commander, Superintendent Chief Eugénio Pereira said the PNTL General Commander’s visit was to see the strategic issues and situation of UPM.
“With this visit, the General Commander takes his responsibility as General Commander to find solutions to the difficulties and challenges that Maritime Police Unit has.” Says Maritime Police Unit Commander, Superintendent Chief Eugénio Pereira.
He informs that the problem UPM currently has is infrastructure for operations, as according to PNTL’s organic law, UPM will have a Battalion that will work on maritime operations. Therefore, infrastructure is needed so that in the future, Maritime Police Unit can work better.
Commander Eugénio said resource allocation is currently insufficient, but for maritime transport facilities, it’s sufficient, as they have the Lucitania Ship which has begun operations. Besides that, UPM will also have other Ships to carry out their work.
Report By: Estefania
Photo By: Estefania