VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

The National Police have sent a team of investigators to the Philippines to probe the arrests of Indonesian citizens in connection with unlawful possession of firearms.

The members of the team have been drawn from several units, such as the international relations division, the Criminal Investigation Agency, and the Intelligence and Security Agency, Head of the Public Relations Division of the National Police, Inspector General Dedi Prasetyo, informed here on Monday.

"In accordance with the directions of the National Police leadership, today a team from the international relations division, the Criminal Investigation Agency, and the Intelligence and Security Agency are flying to the Philippines," said Prasetyo.

The team's task will be to coordinate with the Indonesian Embassy in the Philippines and the Philippines police in a bid to pursue a joint investigation, he added.

An Indonesian citizen named Anton Gobay, 29, and two Filipino citizens were arrested by local police due to unlawful possession of firearms.

Gobay, who is said to be working as a pilot in the Philippines, was arrested on January 7, 2023, in Kiamba, Sarangani province.

Prasetyo said that based on the information received by the police, Gobay and the Filipino citizens failed to furnish the necessary documents for firearms possession, so they were detained by local police for further investigation.

"It is true that the perpetrators could not show documents of possession of firearms, (which means it is) illegal," he added.

He said he was still waiting for information from the team, which has left for the neighboring country.

"The next step is, if the results of the joint investigation by the National Police investigators and the Philippines police (has been received), it will be informed further (to others)," he added. (antaranews)