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)