Agus to be released for sake of good RI-RP relations<\/p>\n
Tiarma Siboro
\nand Jupriadi
\nThe Jakarta Post
\nJakarta\/Makassar<\/p>\n
The Philippines government is considering the immediate
\nrelease of Indonesian citizen Agus Dwikarna, who was arrested for
\npossession of explosive materials, for the sake of long-standing
\nties between the two countries, a top official said on Monday.<\/p>\n
Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs
\nSusilo Bambang Yudhoyono said, after meeting with Philippines
\nPresident Gloria Macapagal Arroyo's special envoy Noberto B.
\nGonzalez, that the two governments would arrange within the
\ncoming two days a mechanism for Agus' handover from Philippine to
\nIndonesian authorities.<\/p>\n
Susilo did not elaborate which of the Indonesian authorities
\nwould represent the government in the ceremony to release Agus.<\/p>\n
Unlike his two compatriots. Agus remains in detention. The
\nNational Philippines Police (PNP) freed Tamsil Dwikarna and Abdul
\nJamal Balfas last week, following President Megawati
\nSoekarnoputri's intervention.<\/p>\n
Gonzalez said earlier on Monday that PNP might not immediately
\nrelease Agus, pending further investigations.<\/p>\n
"PNP will continue with investigations over Agus because we
\nstill have to clarify several things with him," Gonzalez told
\nreporters before meeting with Susilo.<\/p>\n
Arroyo's special envoy was completing a two-day trip to
\nIndonesia over Agus' case.<\/p>\n
Gonzalez denied allegations that political motives were behind
\nthe arrest of three Indonesian people in Manila.<\/p>\n
"The arrest was made because three countries, namely
\nIndonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines, have developed a
\ntripartite agreement to combat terrorism," he said.<\/p>\n
He stressed that relations between the countries should not be
\ndamaged due to enforcement of the agreement.<\/p>\n
National Police chief Gen. Da'i Bachtiar once revealed that
\nAgus was involved in the bombing of a haj (Muslim pilgrims')
\ndormitory in the South Sulawesi capital of Makassar, last year.<\/p>\n
In Makassar, Gonzalez also held talks with Governor HZB
\nPalaguna and several local and religious figures there.<\/p>\n
After the meeting, Gonzalez revealed that almost all of the
\nlocal and religious figures described Agus as a "good person".<\/p>\n
Gonzalez said the accounts could be considered as one reason
\nfor releasing Agus from detention.<\/p>\n
"The Philippines government is quite surprised by the reaction
\nof Indonesian people here to Agus' arrest. Many of the Indonesian
\nhigh-ranking officials discussed the case as if it were a
\npolitical one.<\/p>\n
"Actually, the case is purely a crime that has nothing to do
\nwith politics. But as the case has already become politicized, I
\nguess our government has to clarify it," Gonzalez said.<\/p>\n
During his visit, Gonzalez also visited Agus' family,
\nincluding his wife and children.<\/p>\n
Asked whether the Philippines government would apologize over
\nthe arrest of the three Indonesians, Gonzalez asserted that
\nPresident Arroyo had already made attempts, including legal
\nintervention, to release the men.<\/p>\n
"Consequently, it's not about a request for an apology," he
\nsaid.<\/p>",
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