Three Brimob Officers Stabbed in Labuan Bajo

Three officers from Battalion B Pelopor of the East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) Regional Police’s Brimob unit suffered stab wounds from sharp weapons in an incident allegedly involving several members of the Indonesian Army in Waemata Hamlet, Gorontalo Village, Komodo District, West Manggarai Regency. The incident occurred on Thursday (11/6) in the early hours of Eastern Indonesian Time, following a thanksgiving mass held for the inauguration of a Brimob officer. Police and the Army are jointly handling the sharp weapon violence case. Through an official statement, NTT Police Head of Public Relations, Senior Commissioner Henry Novika Chandra, explained that the inauguration ceremony for Bripda JGR initially proceeded safely and orderly, but a communication misunderstanding after the event sparked tension among some attending members. As a result, three Brimob personnel were injured: Bripda PR, Bripda FA, and Bripda BBK. The injured officers are now receiving medical treatment at Siloam Hospital Labuan Bajo. In response to the incident, the top leadership of both institutions moved swiftly. NTT Police Chief Inspector General Dr Rudi Darmoko, Udayana IX Regional Military Commander Major General Piek Budyakto, and 161/Wira Sakti Military Resort Commander Brigadier General Hendro Cahyono immediately coordinated to calm the situation and ensure public order in the area. To uncover the facts objectively and transparently, both parties agreed to form a joint team consisting of representatives from the NTT Police’s Internal Affairs Division and the Army Military Police, who will conduct a professional investigation into the matter. Despite the incident, Henry stressed that it would not damage the good relationship that has been built so far. ‘The Police Chief and the Regional Military Commander agree that this was a spontaneous misunderstanding. The brotherhood and synergy between the TNI and Polri in NTT remain strong,’ Henry affirmed. ‘We will resolve this matter wisely so it does not disrupt the main task of maintaining the security of the community and tourists,’ he added. At the field level, the West Manggarai Police Chief and the 1612/West Manggarai Military District Commander continue to conduct strict monitoring. The NTT Police also urged the public and tourists to remain calm and not be easily provoked into spreading unverified information. ‘We assure that the situation in Labuan Bajo is safe and conducive. The public can carry out activities as normal. Trust the handling process to the authorised team,’ said Henry.