Dili, January 13, 2025 (Média Democracia) – The Ministry of National Liberation of Combatants Affairs (MACLN) held a meeting with the Secretary of State for Veterans Affairs (SEAV) and the Council for National Liberation of Combatants Affairs (CCLN) attended by representatives of national and district/city veterans to discuss the “Notification of the Second Registration Decision of 2009”, especially the data of veterans registered in 2009 which is still awaited by the public.
Minister of National Liberation for Combatants Affairs, Gil da Costa Monteiro ‘Oan-Soru’ said, today is an important day because for 15 years the 2009 second data was recorded editais, but regarding data on veterans who died there is no data at the ministry.
“The ministry has no data, but whether the registered people are valid, verification, wants to say that in 2024 the number of people who died was 1,082 people, so the high veterans then dropped more than a thousand to close to 1,100 in 2024, let’s think in 2009 to 2015 how many died, this we are talking about data that is not made up, but with the grace of God Almighty who gives us breath to meet each other to show our responsibility for those who are registered at that time.” He said
He informed that so far, everyone has interpreted the law, so be careful of people who do whatever they want.
“If interpreted arbitrarily it will harm our relationship with them, that is the root of the problem, why I convey those words, if there are combatants who convey their difficulties especially those related to veterans or national liberation combatants, we do not catch the law that must be interpreted or explained for them, but we explain what is in our minds.” He added.
During the activity, those responsible are always present, the matter on veterans work hard, but you have to be careful because there is not a single statement in the law that says who works hard and who does not work at all, but the law states who has worked since when and when it finished, so it must be noted otherwise later the commission will not prepare.
He asked to the Homanage Commission members to all of them work and implement based on existing laws.
“Asking all parties from now on to implement the law, which article 1 stated, explain article 1, do not explain your thoughts, because we explain our thoughts, it’s the same as creating problems. I know before the problem started from here so we are all responsible and provide solutions.” He said.
On that occasion, the Chairman of the Administrative Council of the National Liberation Fighters (PACCLN), Vidál de Jesus “Riak Leman” said that this reunion was very important because by signing the editorial, those who signed would later bring a list to be published.
“This is important because all veterans are waiting, because in the National Council they always come asking when the list will be published, some are afraid because they are old and some are afraid of dying before the list is published, so this situation is very important but also difficult.” He continued.
He also added that when it comes to pensions and finances, everyone wants to take money but they have to come together to make decisions based on the law.
“I know there are problems that we cannot solve, so we take it to court to solve it, but the question is that the representatives in the municipality must verify the data, we must maintain this unity, that’s the important thing, this war we created ourselves, because there are those who think they created the war, we’ll see what happens.” He added.
As National and Sub-Division Director, Manuel Araújo dos Santos said that this reunion was the last moment to close the registration of veterans for 2009, therefore he asked the city council fighters to pay attention.
“In front of all of you, we must legalize it, so later until the period that has been determined by law, we must publish it on January 15, so after the period that has been determined by law, we will enter the first direct process in December this year, if we cannot publish it, it means we cannot comply with the period of the law and the period that has been determined by law,” he said.
Meanwhile, in the digital signing data, Liquiça has three administrative posts, the smallest of which only has 15 signs with 12 municipalities, the total data of which is around more than 260 signs.
Additionally, after the digital data sign, there will be a press conference section from MACLN, SEAV and CCLN including veteran representatives at the national and municipal levels.
Reported by : Estefania
Picture by : Estefania