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