Cenderawasih XVII Military Commander Major General Fransen Siahaan (Jubi)
Jayapura, Jubi – It is difficult to end ammunition and firearms smuggling into Papua because of porous border control, said Cenderawasih XVII Military Commander Major General Fransen Siahaan.
Despite utmost efforts to guard the border, there are still many gaps and opportunities for those who have the intention to smuggle ammunition, Siahaan said.
“Military police have not been able to close the gaps and there are definitely opportunities for rogue elements to help supply ammunition to armed groups or separatists,” he said on Wednesday ( 5/11).
He said he hoped that the community could trust the military police forces in maintaining security in order to realize the peaceful land of Papua. “We also support the true vision and mission of the Governor in order to achieve a peaceful land of Papua,” he hoped.
The media reported earlier five suspected suppliers of ammunition and firearms had been arrested by Special Teams Police in Papua I and Manokwari, West Papua, on Saturday (1/11) and taken to the police in Papua on Tuesday (4/11).
They are Saiful Duila, (26),Stenly Salmau (37), Amirullah (34), Leonard Takaria (34) and Herry Lawalata (19).
Papua Deouty Police Chief Brigadier General Paulus Waterpauw said police investigators are investigating from where the ammunition came from and why the suspects had the ammunition and firearms.
“Whether it is used for armed groups or for their own benefit, it is still being investigated,” Waterpauw said. (Indrayadi TH/ Tina)
