Military crackdown on guns

JAKARTA (JP): City Military Chief Maj. Gen. Sutiyoso said Wednesday the military would crackdown on people owning illegal guns in a bid to help police fight the recent tide of armed robberies.

"Since the police's facilities are limited, we have a moral commitment to assist them," Sutiyoso said.

At least two armed robberies have occurred this month. The robbers used Colt-32 and FN-45 pistols.

Sutiyoso denied the guns the robbers used belonged to soldiers. "Most armed forces' personnel use FN-46."

Six men robbed construction company PT Wira Matra Guna's office on Jl. Cempaka Putih Tengah of Rp 125 million (US$53,648) on Nov. 1. The robbers pretended they worked for the company and threatened the company's cashiers with a gun and machetes. Police caught five of the six men.

On Nov. 14 four men shot dead and robbed a businessman of Rp 30 million in Bank Exim's car park on Jl. Medan Merdeka Selatan, Central Jakarta. The robbers are still at large. (jun)