Marines dismissed over deadly raid

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.