13 soldiers abducted in E. Timor

13 soldiers abducted in E. Timor

DILI, East Timor (JP): Besides killing three soldiers and
stealing guns, rifles and ammunition, members of the Falentil
resistance movement abducted 13 other soldiers in an attack on
military headquarters in Alas subdistrict, Manufahi, on Monday.

As of Wednesday afternoon, 11 of the abducted soldiers had
been released by the kidnappers, East Timor Wira Dharma/164
Military Command Col. Tono Suratman announced.

Tono warned the Falentil movement, believed to be hiding in
local forests, to surrender immediately or face stern reprisals
by the Armed Forces (ABRI) members.

"We invite them to give themselves up. Should they ignore
ABRI's offer, there'll be no other way except to attack.

"ABRI would find them and bring them to trial," Tono said.

He warned that joint combat troops from Dili's 744th Battalion
and Lospalos' 745th Battalion had located and surrounded the
movement's hideouts in Alas and were ready to attack.

A group of 50 Falentil members and local youths attacked the
Alas military post, about 150 kilometers south of here, at about
10 a.m. Monday, killing three soldiers and making off with seven
guns and rifles and a cache of ammunition.

A suspected member of the mob was also found dead at the
headquarters. Several local youths also suffered injuries.

The motive for the attack is still unknown.

According to Tono, the daylight attack was so sudden, the
soldiers at the Alas military post had no chance to react.

The 11 abducted soldiers who have been freed by the Falentil
movement have filed reports with the Manufahi/1634 District
Military Command, he said.

Tono, however, did not reveal the details of the release.

Meanwhile, the three dead soldiers -- Chief Sgt. Petrus Bere,
Chief Private Calistro Hornai and First Private F.B. da Costa --
were buried Wednesday.

Tono's chief of staff, Lt. Col. Supadi, said earlier on
Tuesday that ABRI would take stern measures against the
attackers.

"ABRI in East Timor has already run out of patience. We are
always the victims. We'll be strict this time," Supadi insisted.

When asked on Wednesday about Saturday's incident in Lospalos
where an infantry soldier was beaten to death by his instructor
during a training season, Tono explained that instructor Sgt.
Toto would be punished soon and his superior, Maj. Kemal, would
be replaced.

"But everything is still under process," Tono said. (33/bsr)