56 separatist members surrender: Military<\/p>\n
JAYAPURA, Irian Jaya (Antara): At least 56 separatist rebels
\n(GPK) have surrendered to local military officials in Mendiptana,
\nMerauke regency, the military said.<\/p>\n
Spokesman for the regional military command Lt. Col. Maulud
\nHidayat said yesterday that rebels had also given up 46 guns and
\nseveral hunting weapons when they turned themselves in at the
\nmilitary office Wednesday.<\/p>\n
The GPK members, including leader Willem Onde, were then
\nhanded over to Merauke's regent, R. Soekardjo.<\/p>\n
Maulud said the rebels, who had lived in an area along the
\nborders of Irian Jaya and the western province of Papua New
\nGuinea, surrendered themselves \"without orders from anyone\".<\/p>\n
\"They chose to surrender after learning that their fellow
\nmembers, who had surrendered earlier, are now living a better
\nlife. They have also acknowledged that the Indonesian Armed
\nForces always tries to protect local people,\" said Maulud.<\/p>\n
Willem Onde, 28, said that he and his men \"went down to report
\nto ABRI, not surrendering by the order of GPK's commander in
\nMerauke, Bernard Mawe\".<\/p>\n
\"I was asked to get information if we would be welcomed or
\nnot, and to know what kind of rights and justice we would receive
\nif we all surrendered,\" he said.<\/p>\n
\"We were led here by our conscience, because we want to help
\ndevelop Irian Jaya, which is left far behind other provinces,\"
\nsaid Onde who has been living in the jungle since he was 15 years
\nold.<\/p>\n
He further added that Mawe had command of three separatist
\ngroups within Irian Jaya.<\/p>\n
\"I came here representing my men. I will take part in the
\ndevelopment of this province provided that the government pays
\nattention to our rights,\" said Onde.<\/p>\n
He added that if he could get the assurance of the Merauke
\nadministration regarding the rights and justice they sought, then
\nhe would convey it to Mawe and would ask him to \"go down and
\nsurrender to help develop the province\".<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/56-separatist-members-surrender-military-1447893297",
"image": ""
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