Soldier's escape bid foiled

INDONESIA: Second Pvt. Agung Wibowo was caught by the Jakarta military police in a sewer close to the Ciliwung River, across from the military police headquarters on Jl. Sultan Agung, Manggarai, South Jakarta, on Saturday at around 3 p.m.

Agung had been on the run for 12 dramatic hours after fleeing detention prior to questioning in connection with a shooting case and illegal weapon transactions.

He threw himself into the river at 2 a.m., forcing a squad of military police officers to comb the riverbanks for hours. The officers also cleared bushes from the banks by setting them on fire.

With the help of a trained dog, the officers found Agung's sandal near a manhole, leading them to discover the escapee's hideout at 3 p.m.

Agung is being held by the military police for questioning as a witness in the shooting of Second Sgt. Zaenuddin, an officer of Indonesian Artillery Battalion (Arhanud), two weeks ago in Serpong, Tangerang, west of Jakarta. -- JP