The State Secretary for Security (SES) will purchase guns for the National Police of Timor-Leste (PNTL) as some units still lack weapons.
State Secretary Francisco Guterres despite last year’s purchase of V1-PM272 weapons, more were needed.
“We need to purchase more guns, particularly for the Frontier Police Unity (UPF),” SE Guterres said at the National Parliament.
He said the budget for the plan had been considered at National Parliament and was now awaiting a decision.
He said the government needed to provide essential equipment such as weapons and transport to the UPF.
“It is intended to prevent organized crime that might occur in the frontier,” he said.
Member of Commission B (security, defense and foreign affairs) MP Cesar Valente de Jesus said the commission supported the plan to purchase guns for the UPF, but said it was necessary to look into its acquisition mechanism.
“Weapons should be purchased not only for PNTL, but also for F-FDTL,” the CNRT MP said.
He said there needed to be a clear policy to dictate the control of the weapons, in terms of both those who were permitted to carry the weapons as well as which companies were chosen as suppliers.
