Marines dismissed over deadly raid
Oyos Saroso H.N., The Jakarta Post/Bandarlampung
Lt. Col. Bambang Sutrisno, who had just been installed on Tuesday as the Piabung Marine Corps commander in Lampung province, was dismissed from his post on Friday following a raid by marines on a village concert that killed one and injured at least six others.
Six marines -- First Sgt. Sudiarto, First Pvt. Adi Rohano, First Pvt. Ujang Supriyatna, Chief Sgt. Eko Suroyo, Second Pvt. Jeremy Purba and Second Pvt. Sunaryo -- were also dishonorably discharged from the corps for their alleged involvement in Wednesday's incident, in which one villager was killed in Gebang, Padangcermin district, South Lampung.
Further, the six are to face a military tribunal over the attack, along with the remaining 36 marines.
The 42 suspects are in detention at the Lampung Military Police headquarters in Bandarlampung for further interrogation.
Marine Corps Commander Kaj. Gen. Achmad Rifai, who presided over a special ceremony at the Piabung marine base to dismiss Bambang and his six subordinates, said the 36 other marines would also be punished.
"All the attackers will receive sanctions, ranging from discharge to demotion. They are being investigated and will be prosecuted under the Criminal Code," he said, adding that any marine who made a "fatal mistake and hurt people's hearts" would not be tolerated.
During the ceremony, Lt. Col. Prasojo Sunarto was installed to replace Bambang.
Rifai apologized to the victims' families and provided them with financial assistance, and paid a visit to residents living near Piabung marine base, saying he hoped the incident would be the last involving marines and civilians.
Marine Corps spokesman Lt. Col. Deddy Susanto said the decision to discharge the marines was made after a marathon investigation into the 42 marines.
Asked why Bambang was being dismissed as the local marine commander, Deddy said it was a consequence of his position: "A commander is responsible for any deeds committed by his corps."
Deddy did not elaborate on whether Bambang was aware of, ordered or failed to prevent the attack.
The marine spokesman declined to speculate on a possible motive behind the incident.
"It's being investigated. I will tell you if any findings emerge," he said.
South Lampung Regent Zulkifli Anwar has promised to cover the funeral costs of Mugi, 26, and the victims' medical treatment.
The attack took place on Wednesday at around 9 p.m., when dozens of marines arrived by truck in full uniform and launched a raid on a electronic keyboard concert being held to celebrate Independence Day, killing Mugi and injuring six others.
Eyewitness Suwito said it was a savage attack: "Children were kicked, women beaten and other innocent villagers were attacked with sickles, bayonets and canes."
He said the raid followed a minor incident during a similar concert on Tuesday at neighboring Ketapang village, when a car carrying marines hit a villager. Local police seized the car as evidence, which angered the marines, said Suwito.
Another witness said the incident followed a scuffle between youths and men in military uniform during Tuesday's concert. The youths later fled, and the show was stopped.
On Thursday, hundreds of residents of Padangcermin district staged a rally at the Lampung administration and council to protest the attack and oppose the presence of marines.
On Friday, two days after the attack, the streets of Gebang village were deserted except for dozens of police officers on guard.
The Piabung marine battalion, comprising 552 personnel, are tasked with securing the Strait of Malacca and the territorial waters of Banten, Jakarta and Aceh.