The Commander of Maritime Police Unit (UPM) Lino Saldanha said the maritime police needs new weapons as many of the old ones are out of order.
He said the government and command of the national police PNTL should provide UPM with new weapons because its job comes with certain risks.
He cited an example that took place on 28 January 2017 when UPM attempted to apprehend two illegal vessels that entered Timor waters, they could give warning shots twice but at the third time the weapon did not discharge.
He added the vessel escaped but that at least they stopped illegally fishing.
“The guns’ type AK33 are broken because they have been used since 2006,” said Commander Saldanha.
He said that some other 280 guns purchased from Malaysia were already second hand.
“They used them for a long time and then sold them to us,” he said.
He added the issue has been raised with the command of PNTL but that so far there has been not positive reply.
He said also that UPM has requested for new weapons so they can better do their job encouraging peoples to respect the law.
Meanwhile, Member Commission B (security, defence, and foreign affairs), MP Cesar Valente said in 2014, PNTL purchased guns to be given to the Border Police Units (UPF) but that in the end they did not.
MP Valente added also that in 2016, the PNTL also planned to purchase more guns but that the parliament did not approve because they were going to purchase second hand guns.
“Therefore, we did not allocate the funds but I have heard they went ahead and bought them. We need to get clarification,” he said.
He added the two border police units UPM (maritime) and UFP (land) need new weapons but the management of weapons by PNTL is still not adequate.
