Photo: Members of the Maubere Revolutionary Council (CRM) on a march in Lalulai Aldeia, Suku Sagadate, Laga Sub-district of Baucau; ©Joao Nogueira, Belun’s BaucauDistrict Coordinator, Dec 2013.
April 3, 2014
Ultimatum issued by the Secretary of State for Security on ‘illegal groups’
On the 1st of April 2014, the Secretary of State for Security gave an ultimatum to the ‘illegal groups’[1]. He called on members of the ‘illegal groups’ who have not yet surrendered to the police, including those in the Mount Matebian area, some of whom are reportedly armed[2], to surrender themselves and submit their arms. The ultimatum declared that if they do not comply, from April 3, 2014 PNTL and F-FDTL will conduct a joint operation to arrest those members of the ‘illegal groups’. On 3 April 2014, Suara Timor Lorosae newspaper reported the General Commander of Timor-Leste’s National Police Force (PNTL), Commisioner Longhuinos Monteiro, as extending the ultimatum by one week. Commissioner Monteiro also referred to Government Resolution number 8/2014 which apparently gives instructions to PNTL and F-FDTL to conduct a special operation against the ‘illegal groups’ referred to.