Dili, 23 April 2026 (Media Democracia) – A member of Falintil – Timor-Leste Defence Force (F-FDTL) committed physical aggression against two members of the Police Intelligence Service (SIP) while they were carrying out road security duties for Prime Minister Xanana Gusmão, who was conducting a work visit to Bobonaro municipality.
This case happened because there was an attempt by the F-FDTL member who was driving a car to hit the two SIP members, so those two members immediately chased the car to Liquiça, where physical aggression by the Falintil member against SIP occurred at that moment.
“Our two members were carrying out their duty to secure the road when His Excellency went on a visit to Bobonaro, so they were ensuring their role or task, but there was an attempt because a car was about to hit them, so they chased the car, and then when they arrived at a certain place, some of our F-FDTL members who were at that place committed physical aggression against the two of them.”
João Belo said that after suffering physical aggression, the two SIP members tried to file a complaint to their commander, but unfortunately yesterday the two victims filed a complaint at the Directorate of Criminal Investigation Service, and the process is currently ongoing.
The DSIK Director informed that he will send a letter to the PNTL General Commander so that he can forward the letter to the F-FDTL Command to inform them about the situation that occurred.
“I think the level of communication between the two commands is going very well, each individual’s behavior must be managed at the command level, like I said earlier, a letter will be sent and prepared for the General Command, which will send the letter to the F-FDTL Command to inform them of the situation that occurred.” Belo informed.
He affirmed that the case was registered yesterday by DSIK with NUK: 0142/2006/DSIK. The case itself has already been registered with the Public Ministry to identify the problem that occurred, the two victims have the initials ZTS and BDS.
“We have not yet obtained the initials of the individuals who carried out the assault, but regarding this, the process is ongoing to identify them, it will continue, and then we will present it once we receive the delegation of competence from the Public Ministry, the investigation process will continue.” he explained.
Based on the statement from the two SIP members, they were carrying out their duties in civilian clothing to monitor activities on the ground.
Meanwhile, based on information that Democracia media accessed, a dump truck is suspected of transporting contraband goods from the Batugade border to pass through to Dili.
Report By: Estefania Cardoso
Photo By: Estefania Cardoso