Dili, 17 March 2026 (Média Democracia) – Dili Municipal PNTL Commander, Chief Superintendent Orlando Gomes said, the case of abandoning a baby at the National Hospital Guido Valadares (HNGV), is suspected to involve a PNTL member, but so far there’s no confirmation as the case is still under investigation.
Dili Municipal PNTL Commander, Chief Superintendente Orlando Gomes added, regarding this case, it’s suspected that a PNTL member is involved, but this isn’t yet confirmed so now the investigation process is ongoing, after which we’ll know the truth.
Timor-Leste National Police through the Vulnerable Person Unit (VPU) has received a report from the baby’s mother and will investigate to find out if a PNTL member is really involved, the command will follow the process according to the law.
“We have receive a report from the baby’s mother who is also a suspect JRO, and the information will be used to take her statement after seeing the investigation process, when the investigation is done, if a PNTL member is suspected, they’ll be asked for a statement and the process will follow.” Said Dili Municipal PNTL Commander, Chief Superintendent Orlando Gomes
Dili Municipal PNTL Command through Vera Cruz Police Squad received information from a Doctor at HNGV about a baby born the maternity ward, and security authorities received the information on March 9, 2026, around 11:40 AM (OTL). Patrol team immediately went to HNGV to confirm and observe the situation.
“After observation, it’s true that a baby was born at HNGV with a deficiency and was immediately transferred to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (ICU), because it was born with a deficiency.” Informs Dili Municipal PNTL Commande, Chief Superintendent of Police
He affirms it’s true, suspect JRO is the mother, abandoned the baby for about two weeks at HNGV, and health personnel looked after it and some Nuns visited. Previously, Timor-Leste National Police (PNTL) through Cristo-Rei Squad secured JRO who abandoned the baby at Guido Valadares National Hospital (HNGV), on Wednesday at 6:00 AM the suspect herself went straight to the hospital to cooperate and turn herself in to PNTL.
“So at that moment we took her to the squad and channelled the baby’s mother to VPU Dili Municipality to continue the process.” Said Cristo-Rei Squad Commander, Chief Inspector of Police, Paulino de Carvalho, to journalists at his office in Becora, Wednesday (11/03/2026)
The Chief Inspector of Police informs, the baby’s mother turned herself in after seeing news reports in the media; at 6:00 AM, she went to see her child the baby at HNGV and police took her and secured her at Dom Aleixo Squad. Meanwhile, the case is still under identification process so the details of the issue can be known.
Reporting : Estefania
Photoo : Estefania