Dili, 26 May 2026 (Media Democracia) – Timor-Leste National Police (PNTL), through the Na’in-Feto Police Station, summoned Eugénio Sarmento to give a statement regarding a post he published on his Facebook account against the Team of the Secretary of State for Toponymy and Urban Organization (SEATOU).
“Today, the Na’in-Feto police station summoned me here regarding my post on my Facebook page against SEATOU.” said Eugénio Sarmento to journalists at the Na’in-Feto Police Station on Monday.
He added that while the government has been trying to develop Dili city to make it more beautiful, he always promotes government programs through his Facebook account.
“But when there are things that aren’t good, I cannot stay silent. If something is wrong and I stay silent, then I am wrong. I made a post about the action SEATOU took against my daughter and the young men at their BAR. Instead of coming to call my young men or daughter to ask for a permit with a purpose like that, they went to talk to customers who were drinking loudly in the bar and immediately destroyed it without the owner’s knowledge. That’s vandalism.” he explained.
He said that last year the police went to the bar to ask them to reduce the music volume, but there aren’t many neighbors there only two households nearby, and those houses have high walls. SEATOU didn’t give any notification, they just acted directly.
“Regarding the action SEATOU took, we have already filed a complaint in court, not just coming to answer at the Na’in-Feto Police Station. We have prepared a letter for the Public Minister’s Office because we have laws.” he stated.
Eugénio Sarmento admitted he was wrong in what he did, but the post published on his Facebook account wasn’t out of personal hatred toward SEATOU.
“I respect that he is a person who is firm and does everything, but when there is a mistake we all must correct it. I am also very happy with the Commander of the Na’in-Feto Station and the members because they came to the house with good manners and spoke well to convey their objective.” he acknowledged.
He also told the PNTL that they shouldn’t make the people become enemies of the state and must create a good environment.
“I really thank the Na’in-Feto Police for the action they took toward me today. It was great and I’m proud. I am ready to give a statement based on my post.” he declared.
He also said he willn’t delete the post he published on his official Facebook account about the word “vandalism,” because government members must show their diploma to the people.
Elsewhere, the Operations Commander of the Timor-Leste National Police for Dili Municipality, Assistant Superintendent of Police Luis Amaral, informed that based on SEATOU’s complaint, they stopped an activity that happened on Saturday at a bar where loud music was playing late at night.
“With the post that Eugénio himself published on Facebook, we summoned him to ask for information about Eugénio’s posting on social media. We called him to ask because at that time Eugénio himself wasn’t at the location where the action took place.” said the Dili Municipality Operations Commander to journalists at the Dili Municipal Command in Caicoli on Monday.
The Operations Commander said that the Police carry out their role based on information received and always summon to identify any citizen according to the law.
“Because the information came directly from SEATOU saying that the post wrote that SEATOU committed brutality in their action, we called Eugénio here. We asked him, and at that time Eugénio wasn’t at the location. He heard from his daughter that SEATOU committed brutality against his daughter. Because of that, Eugénio wasn’t satisfied and expressed it in his social media post.” Luis Amaral informed.
He added that Eugénio should actually file a complaint with the Office of the Ombudsman for Human Rights and Justice (PDHJ) regarding the state service that SEATOU is carrying out.
Reporting: Estefánia Cardoso
Photo: Estefánia Cardoso