Envoy asks Tamsil, Jamal not to issue statements

Jupriadi, The Jakarta Post, Makassar

A Philippine envoy urged Tamsil Linrung and Abdul Jamal Balfas on Sunday to refrain from making comments that could hamper the release of Agus Dwikarna, an Indonesian being detained in Manila.

"We appeal to both men not to pressure the Philippine administration or to irritate (Philippine) President Arroyo, so that the (Philippine) government can free Agus," Roberto B. Gonzales said during a public dialog in Makassar, South Sulawesi, on Sunday.

Tamsil, Jamal and Agus were arrested on March 13 at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport for the alleged possession of explosives that could be used to make bombs.

While Tamsil and Jamal were released by Philippine authorities last week because of a lack of evidence, Agus is still being detained in Manila pending further investigation.

Tamsil, a former deputy treasurer of People's Consultative Assembly Speaker Amien Rais' National Mandate Party (PAN), has repeatedly alleged that his arrest was engineered by Indonesia's National Intelligence Agency (BIN) to discredit presidential hopeful Amien.

Both the Philippine authorities and BIN have denied the allegation.

Gonzales, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo's special envoy, arrived in Makassar on Sunday at about 1 p.m. to seek information on Agus' background. He met with Makassar Mayor Amiruddin Maula, Coordinating Minister for People's Welfare Jusuf Kalla and South Sulawesi Governor H.Z.B Palaguna, as well as relatives of Agus.

Gonzales said on Sunday afternoon that Agus was still in custody because the Philippine authorities had to clarify several points, including Agus' alleged possession of explosives and false immigration documents.

"President Arroyo intended to release all three men, but the Philippine police and the Ministry of Justice are still probing (Agus)," Gonzales said.

He promised that if during his visit he found nothing incriminating against Agus, he would recommend that President Arroyo order his release.

Tamsil said on Sunday he would consider Gonzales' appeal not to comment on the case.

"Our focus is how to secure the release of Pak Agus. If (Gonzales') demand affects the release, we will consider it," Tamsil told The Jakarta Post.

Meanwhile, Arroyo's spokesman, Silvestre Afable, said on Sunday in Manila that Gonzales had spoken with Indonesian Minister of Justice and Human Rights Yusril Ihza Mahendra, and was "assured that the Indonesian government understands the circumstances and the actions behind the arrest of the three Indonesians".

Gonzalez explained to the Indonesian authorities that Manila followed "established standards of law enforcement" when Abdul Jamal, Tamsil and Agus were arrested in March, Afable was quoted as saying by AFP.