Dili, 25 April 2026 (Media Democracia) – Interior Minister Francisco da Costa Guterres recognizes there is a lot of illegal fishing, but says it’s good because recently the UPM caught many people despite minimal conditions.
“With the conditions we have, they managed to resolve it. We are maintaining it now. Today at the Council of Ministers, His Excellency the Prime Minister gave instructions to four ministers, the Minister of Defense, the Minister of Interior, the Minister of Transport, and the Minister of Agriculture.” Minister Francisco told journalists after participating in the Council of Ministers meeting this Wednesday at the Government Palace.
He informed that those four ministries have already met twice, so the Council of Ministers today also asked in the meeting to continue coordinating with each other in order to agree on preparing the existing conditions to carry out continuous patrols in the southern coast sea area.
The government official said they will continue to pursue it and must focus more on patrolling the southern coast area.
He said the government is trying to find boats but doesn’t have them yet, so the boats currently available can be used to monitor.
“Recently the UPM with its one small boat managed to capture a large boat. I think we can do it even though we have minimal conditions, they can still do the work with Defense, Agriculture, and Transport.” he explained.
Previously, the Maritime Police Unit (UPM) already carried out prevention and control operations in the Lospalos maritime zone, which resulted in the detention of 30 people suspected of being involved in illegal fishing activities, and they are now being held in Becora Prison pending investigation involving the competent authorities.
Maritime Police Unit (UPM) Commander, Chief Superintendent Eugenio Pereira, informed that the Maritime Police service continues to operate according to its official competence in the maritime area, including prevention and response to illegal activities that occur in the maritime zone.
“UPM carries out operations based on the operational plan that has already been approved, with the objective of ensuring security, prevention, and control of activities in the maritime area. This operation involved the mobilization of personnel and resources from April 13 to 17.” said Maritime Police Unit (UPM) Commander, Chief Superintendent Eugenio Pereira, at a press conference at PNTL General Headquarters in Kaikoli, Monday (04/20).
Report By: Estefánia Cardoso
Photo By: Estefánia Cardoso