Envoy asks Tamsil, Jamal not to issue statements

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.