President of the Republic, Taur Matan Ruak (TMR), said he is unhappy with some members of Falintil Defense Force of Timor-Leste (F-FDTL) who commit aggravated crimes against people.
President TMR said he was unhappy because every day, he reads in the newspaper stories of F-FDTL members’ involvement in criminal activities.
“I read the newspapers every day; there is no daily newspaper without F-FDTL members doing harm,” President TMR said, at the celebration of F-FDTL’s 13th anniversary on February 2, in Fatuhada, Dili.
President TMR said even though he is currently President of the Republic, he will not leave F-FDTL behind.
“Before I left you then, I said I brought half my heart with me and left half my heart with you. Therefore I give an ear and care for you every day even though I am at home or in my office,” President TMR said.
He appealed to F-FDTL members involved in crime to change their disruptive behaviors so F-FDTL could gain trust from the community.
At the same place, Secretary of State for Defense (SED), Julio Tomas Pinto, acknowledged the truth of what President TMR said and agreed it was time to change those behaviors.
“It is time to improve our demeanors, our behaviors and our discipline,” SED Pinto said.
He said criticism is important to awaken and improve the F-FDTL institution and develop it in order to make it better for future.
