Joint Operation begins
Minister of State and of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers and
Official Spokesperson for the Government of Timor-Leste
Díli, March 21, 2015
Joint Operation begins
A joint operation involving the FALINTIL-Defence Forces of Timor-Leste (F-FDTL) and the National Police of Timor-Leste (PNTL) to “prevent and suppress criminal actions from illegal groups that are causing instability in the country” has begun.
The joint operation is a response to recent incidents in Baguia on the 8th of March and near Laga on the 15th of January. Both incidents involved attacks on Police personnel. In Timor-Leste the existence of armed associations and military or paramilitary groups is prohibited by law. Criminal acts such as those which have
The Government mandated, through a Resolution approved by the Council of Ministers on March 9, the commands of the F-FDTL and PNTL to organize a joint operation to put an end to these criminal acts. The resolution, in line with the President of the Republic and the National Parliament is in accordance with the Constitution of Timor-Leste and Law 2/2010 on National Security.
A more recent resolution of the Council of Ministers of 12 March, already ratified by His Excellency the President of the Republic, approved the "Rules of Engagement" proposed by the Command of F-FDTL and the PNTL and expressed its full support and total confidence in the joint operation under the command of F-FDTL and PNTL
The PNTL and F-FDTL will operate with professionalism and within their prescribed strict rules of engagement to respond to identified elements of organized crime aiming to create instability in the country.
Spokesperson for the Government Agio Pereira noted “the serious nature of these incidentsinvolving illegal and armed groupsdemand that the Government moves with haste to protect national interest and ensure security for the population.
