Subject: Yayasan HAK: INTERIM REPORT LIQUISA
MASSACRE, 05 - 07 APRIL 1999
Date: Sat, 17 Apr 1999 08:56:41 -0400
From: FORTILOS <fortilos@indo.net.id>Yayasan HAK, Dili, East Timor
INTERIM REPORT LIQUISA MASSACRE, 05 - 07 APRIL 1999
Background
On March 4 1999, 4.00 PM local time, approximately 18 members of Besi Merah Putih (BMP)
arrived in the village of Dato, about 3 km west of Liquisa town, and without a clear
motive attacked the house of one Felisberto do Santos, a civil servant from the
agriculture department (livestock) in Liquisa. The villagers of Dato are known to be
supporter of the struggle of East Timorese people for the right to self-determination. The
people of Dato upon hearing and witnessing the attack on that house immediately reacted by
attacking the BMP members. The BMP members ran to the local military headquarters in
Liquisa Town (Markas Koramil Liquisa Kota).
Because the situation became increasingly tense, an hour later the priest of the local
church, Pastor Rafael dos Santos, who heard of the incident approached the military
headquarter and spoke directly with the local commander (Danramil). Eventually, the
situation was defused.
It was agreed that on March 5 1999, at noon, there will be a reconciliation meeting
between members of the village of Dato, including Felisberto dos Santos and members of
BMP. After this agreement, the people of Dato who had gathered disbanded to return to
their own homes.
On March 5 1999, early in the morning approximately 7 am without any warning, BMP
members from the sub-district of Maubara began attacking the western part of Liquisa Town.
The attack was directed towards the village of Dato. This made many villagers afraid and
began to flee. This caused some people to lose their life. After hearing that there was an
attack on the western section of the town from the direction of the sub-district of
Maubara, security forces from Kodim 1638 Liquisa, Koramil 01 Liquisa, Polres Liquisa dan
BTT 143 (Territorial Battalyon 143) conducted a counter attack. This created more chaos
with people running in all directions. Eye witness accounts, as well as testimonies from
victims which we have gathered, claim that during this attack the BMP took position in the
front and held traditional weapons. They shot arrows and threw stones towards civilians
who were on-guard along the road in Dato. They also carried machetes, wooden clubs, swords
with the hope to capture, torture, and kill anyone they can. However, when they were
attacked back by the community members who were guarding along the road in Dato, BMP
members (under the command of BTT 143 and Koramil Maubara) retreated. During their
retreat, BTT 143 and Koramil Maubara members open fired on the civilians on guard. A
number of people were shot. Because of this, many people ran to seek refuge in the Liquisa
church. Others headed for the forest and some to Dili. Eight people who were shot, wounded
and able to be evacuated to Dili to be treated at the Motael clinic were: 1. Jose Cerilio
Do Santos, 17 years, high school student at Kristal Liquisa, lives in the village of Fatu
Kesi (Liquisa), son of the village head of Fatu Kesi, Filisberto do Sampaio Piris,
sub-district of Liquisa Kota. The victim was shot in the thigh from the front. The bullet
left the thigh in the back. 2. Manuel Caldeiro, 27 years, transmigrant at Kampung
Faularan, sub-district of Maubara who had been displaced to Liquisa. He was shot on the
left hand. The wound is very deep and severe. 3. Manuel Floris, 23 years of Liquisa,
farmer. Shot in the stomach near the belly button, the bullet came out in the back. His
wound is very severe. 4. Mrs. Paulina de Jesus, 23 years, farmer of Liquisa cut by a
machette on the right shoulder and near her left eye. She was assaulted at her home during
the BMP’s attack which was aided by ABRI. 5. Fransisco Xavier, 31 years, farmer from
Kampung Raimea, village of Vatubou, sub-district Maubara, wounded by a sword. 6. Jaime Do
Santos, 20 years, farmer from the village of Fatu Kesi, sub-district Liquisa Kota. 7.
Crisanto Oliveira, 23 years, Desa Dato. Victim was captured and tortured by members of
Kodim 1638 Liquisa. 8. Lucas Soares, 36 years, Desa Dato. Machette wounds in the face and
head. (note: Victims number 5-7 are being treated in the Bidau general hospital, Toko
Baru, Dili. Victims 1-4 are being treated in the Motael clinic, Dili.)
List of dead from the incident on April 5 1999 are: 1. Julio, 25 years, of Kampung
Kukae Laran, Desa Dato, Kec. Liquisa Kota. 2. Laurindo, 40 years, Head of the Livestock
Department (Kepala Dinas Peternakan Tingkat II) Liquisa, living in Liquisa Kota. 3. Feliz,
27 years, Desa Dato, Kec. Liquisa Kota. 4. Fransisco, 25 years, Desa Vatuvou, Kec.
Maubara. 5. Paulino Ribeiro, 28 years, civil servant (State Highschool I Liquisa) of Desa
Manumeta Kec. Liquisa Kota.
Homes destroyed and burned on 5 April 1999: (1). Jasinto Da Costa, village head of
Dato. (2). Filomeno da Paisao. (3). Gregorio N.M. dos Santos. (4). Amadeu. (5). Mateus
Hulamuda, 48 years. (6). FernandoDa Costa. (7). Mau Gunda, blacksmith. (8). Jorge. (9).
Saulus. (10). Felisberto dos Santos.
Eyewitness name the following who were directly involved in the burning of these
houses: 1. Abilio Martins, Pangkat Kopral Satu, TNI-AD 2. Domingos Askopas, Pangkat
Prajurit Dua, TNI-AD 3. Yokobus, Pangkat Sersan Dua, TNI-AD 4. Tobias, Pangkat Kopral
Satu, TNI-AD 5. Antonio Gomes, Pangkat Kopral Satu, TNI-AD 6. Jacinto, member of TNI-AD in
Liquisa. 7. Alberto, member of TNI-AD in Liquisa. 8 Teofilio, member of TNI-AD in Liquisa.
On April 6 1999, around 4 pm, BMP members and security forces from BTT 143, Kodim 1639
Liquisa, Koramil Liquisa, Police from Liquisa and Brimob surrounded the Liquisa chruch.
They threw a tear gas which resulted in causalties and wounded. Many ran out of the churc,
to be attacked by BMP members wielding traditional weapons. Many were killed, tortured,
and disappeared. Yayasan HAK, based on reports from victims and eyewitnes, as well as
information from CNRT, has collected the following information:
Names of those who died on April 6 1999, at the Liquisa church (data based on reports
from family members, investigation, and eyewitness/victims): (1). Jacinto Canisio Pereira,
47 years, village head of Dato. Died in the Liquisa church. (2). Antonio Do Santos, 24
years, of Desa Hatukesi. Died in the Liquisa church. (3). Jacinta Da Conceicao, 34 years,
of Desa Dato. Died in the Liquisa church. (4). Joni Mausoko, 28 years, of Desa Dato. Died
in the Liquisa church. (5). Evangelina Goncalves, 14 years of Desa Dato. Died in the
Liquisa church. (6). Juvelina, 16 years, of Desa Dato. Died in the Liquisa church. (7).
Salvador, 13 years, of Desa Vatubou. Died in the Liquisa church. (8). Santiago, 12 years
of Desa Vatubou. Died in the Liquisa church. (9). Americo, 28 years, of Desa Dato. Died in
the village of Dato. (10).Afonso, 26 years, of Desa Dato. Died in the village of Dato.
(11).Francisco, 30 years, of Desa Dato. Died in the Liquisa church. (12).Rafael Maria, 18
years, of Desa Dato. Died in the Liquisa church. (13). Paulo de Fatima, 53 years, of Desa
Daruleten. Died in the Liquisa church. (14).Erminho do Santos, 35 years, of Desa Maumet.
Died in the Liquisa church. (15).Manuel Lisboa, 40 years, of Desa Dato. Died in the
village of Dato. (16).Fernando da Costa S., 29 years, of Desa Dato. Died in the Liquisa
church. (17). Antonio Marcos, 27 years, of Desa Hatukesi. Died in the Liquisa church.
(18).Elidio do Santos, 20 years, of Desa Hatukesi. Died in the Liquisa church. (19).Secar
do Carmo, 21 years, of Desa Vatuboro. Died in the village of Dato. (20).Mautersa, 22
years, of Desa Vatubou. Died in the village of Dato. (21).Abel Ballo, 26 years, of Desa
Vatubou. Died in the Liquisa church. (22).Julito Maria, 18 years, of Metabou. Died in the
Liquisa church. (23).Filipe, 17 years, of Desa Metagou Kec. Liquisa. Died in the Liquisa
church. (24).Americo Marcal, 40 years, of Desa Darulete. Died in the Liquisa church.
(25).Rudolfo do Santos, 15 years, of Desa Darulete. Died in the Liquisa church.
(26).Loubato do Santos, 16 years, of Desa Darulete. Died in the Liquisa church.
(27).Floriano Santos, 30 years, of Desa Vatuboro. Died in the Liquisa church.
(28).Joanico, 35 years, of Desa Dato. Died in the Liquisa church. (29).Abrao, 37 years, of
Desa Hatukesi. Died in the Liquisa church. (30).Francisco do Santos, of Guguleur. , Died
in the Liquisa church. (31).Jose Ribeiro, of Desa Guguleur. Died in the Liquisa church.
(32).Julio, of Vatubou. Died in the Liquisa church. (33).Agustinho, 42 years, of Desa
Darulete/Maubara. Died in the Liquisa church. (34).Manuel da Costa, 30 years, of Desa
Dato/Liquisa. Died in the Liquisa church. (35).Luarindo da Costa G. ,45 years, of Desa
Dato. Died in the village of Maumeta/Mercado (36).Thomas de Jesus, 26 years, of Desa
Hatukesi Kec.Liquisa. Died in the general hospital (RSUP), Dili. (37).Tito Afonso, 29
years, of Desa Gugleur Kec. Maubara. Died in the Liquisa church. (38).Alsino Gonsalves, 45
years, of Desa Gugleur Kec.Maubara. Died in the Liquisa church. (39).Felisberto, 27 years,
of Desa Liquica Kota. Died in the village of Dato. (40).Tiago dos Santos,17years , student
of SMPK Liquica. Died in the Liquisa church. (41).Afonso, 35 years, of Desa Dato. Died in
the Liquisa church. (42).Hermenio,17 years, student of SMPK Liquica, Desa Hatukesi. Died
in the Liquisa church. (43).Rita, 36 years. Died in the Liquisa church. (44).Sejario, 25
years, Desa Leopa. Died in the Liquisa church. (45).Custori, 31 years. Died in the Liquisa
church. (46).Alsino, 25 years, of Desa Leopa. Died in the Liquisa church. (47).Alsino
Fernandes, 28 years, of Desa Leopa. Died in the Liquisa church.. (48).Felisberto dos
Santos, treasurer of Dinas Peternakan TK II Liquica. Died in the Liquisa church.
(49).Leovilgildo, student of SMU 3. Died in the Liquisa church. (50).Victor. Died in the
Liquisa church. (51).Lusio. Died in the Liquisa church. (52).Antonio Gonsalves, 25 years,
Catholic youth group Liquica. Died in the Liquisa church. (53).Jose Mosquita, 25 years, of
Desa Leopa. Died in the Liquisa church. (54).Agusto dos Santos Mausinho, 36 years, of
Liquica Kota. Died in the Liquisa church. (55).Paulino Voavida, 22 years, of Kampung
Villa, Desa Vavekenia. Died in the Liquisa church. (56).Adios. Died in the Liquisa church.
(57).Thomas de Jesus, 26 years, of Desa Hatukesi. Died in the Liquisa church.
Names of those wounded by gunshot during the incident in the church (6/4/99). Not all
are treated in hospital: (1). Joao Kuda, 34 years, of Desa Hatukesi, shot in the Liquisa
church. (2). Agostinho dos Santos, 37 years, of Desa Dato, shot in the Liquisa church.
(3). Joao Mautega, 23 years, of Desa Dato, shot in the Liquisa church. (4). Bento Quintao,
24 years, of Loidahar, shot during the incident in Dato. (5). Felix de Carvalho, 26 years,
of Dato, shot during the incident in Dato. (6). Laurindo do Santos, 29 years, of Desa
Maumeta, shot during the incident in Dato. (7). Matias da Silva, 50 years, of Desa Dato,
shot during the incident in Dato. (8). Ornai, 17 years, of Desa Dato, shot in the Liquisa
church. (9). Geraldo Soares, 31 years, of Desa Maumeta, shot in the Liquisa church. (10).
Mario Martins, 26 years, of Desa Daruleten, shot in the Liquisa church. (11). Bendito
Hornai, 54 years, Dato, shot in the Liquisa church. (12). Miguel do Santos, 30 years, of
Desa Loidahar, shot in the Liquisa church. (13). Adao Sances, 25 years, of Desa Vatubou,
shot in the Liquisa church. (14). Manuel da Costa, 27 years, of Desa Vatubou, shot in the
Liquisa church. (15). Jose Ramos, 22 years, of Desa Vatubou, shot in the Liquisa church.
(16). Joe Nunes Soares, 35 years, of Desa Vavikinia, shot in the Liquisa church. (17).
Fransisco, 27 years, of Desa Vatubou, shot in the Liquisa church. (!8). Mateus Alves .c,
35 years, of Desa Dato, shot in the Liquisa church. (19). Juvito, 23 years, of Desa
Dato,shot in the Liquisa church. (20). Jaimito Serrao, 26 years, of Desa Vavikinia, shot
in the Liquisa church. (21). Casimiro, 60 years, of Desa Hatu kesi, shot in the Liquisa
church. (22). Cergio Serao, 21 years, of Desa Vatubou, shot in the Liquisa church. (23).
Fernado Serao, 23 years, of Desa Vatubou, shot in the Liquisa church. (24). Jeca Serao, 22
years, of Desa Vatubou, shot in the Liquisa church. (25). Clara Monis, 16 years, of Desa
Vatubou, shot in the Liquisa church. (26). Antonio Monis, 50 years, of Desa Vatubou, shot
in the Liquisa church. (27). Manuel Flores, 27 years, of Desa Dato, shot during the
incident in Dato. (28). Maria Lurdes, 34 years, of Desa Dato, shot in the Liquisa church.
(29). Jacinto da Costa, 40 years, of Dato, shot during the incident in Dato. (30). Bento,
49 years, of Desa Dato, shot in the Liquisa church. (31). Maubusa of Desa Guguleur, shot
in the Liquisa church. (32). Alberto, of Vatuboro, shot in the Liquisa church. (33). Jaime
do Santos, 25 years, of Desa Hatukesi, shot in the Liquisa church. (34). Jose, of Desa
Vavikinia, shot in the Liquisa church. (35). Cerilio, 18 years, of Desa Hatukesa, shot in
the Liquisa church.
PS: Incident in Dato referred to here occurred on April 4 1999 in the village of Dato.
Whereas the incident in the church refers to the massacre on April 6 in the Liquisa
church.
Reported as disappeared: 1. Calistro, 38 years 2. Ernesto, 28 years 3. Visenti, 4.
Leogildo da Silva, 5. Jasinto Fernandes Horonai, 6. Deolindo da Costa 7. Ligina da Costa
Horonai 8. Neomia Horonai; 9. Joaquin Balo, 35 years; 10. Anita de Jesus, 5 years; 11.
Anadulse dos Santos, 7 years; 12. Victor de Jesus, 35 years; 13. Joao de Jesus, 14. Mateus
Helamuda, 45 years, of Desa Dato Kec.Liquisa Kota.
News re the situation in Liquisa on 7 April 1999.
On April 7 1999, HAK conducted a monitoring visit with KONTRAS, Commission for Justice
and Peace, Dili, Danrem 164 WD Timor Timur Kol. Tono Suratman, Kapolda Timor Timur (Police
chief for East Timor), Kol. Timbul Siraien and reporters. Bishop Belo also visited the
site with DANREM Timor Timur, Tono Suratman. According to the Liquisa church, more than 40
died on the grounds of the church on April 6 1999. Around midnight (nearing 1 am) ABRI
personnel took the bodies in 6 trucks which headed west of Liquisa.
Informants and eyewitness claim that the bodies will be dumped in a lake which is
located between Liquisa and Maubara. On April 7, 1999, total number of wounded evacuated
to Dili is 15, including 7 additional victims who are now being treated in RSUP Dili. The
latest news from Liquisa, based on reports from people fleeing from the area to Dili, that
until today (7/4/99) security forces and BMP are still launching attacks on civilians
–no longer discriminating between pro-independence and pro-autonomy civilians.
12 April 1999 Yayasan HAK Human Rights Advocacy Division
Today (12/4/99), we have received news that the situation in the regency of Ermera is
very tense after the attack and fatal shooting by pro-Indonesia militia and ABRI from
Koramil, KODIM Ermera and soldiers of Antonio Lima and Julio. At 3 pm today, (12/4/99), we
receive news from Ermera that most of the young men have fled the area to hide in the
forest. Womenfolk left behind have been terrorized, intimidated and forced to fly the
Indonesian flag in every house. The young men have fled not only due to the afore
mentioned incident, but also because all military personnel in Ermera are carrying
automatic weapons and have donned a granade on their belts. There is information that 14
have been shot, Antonio de Lima and Julio. We have not been able to gather data on the
identity of these victims because access to this area is very difficult.
Another tense development occurred in the regency of Suai Covalima. This morning
(12/4/99, 12.00 pm), we have received information that the pro-autonomy militia, LAKSAUR
Merah Putih and military forces (ABRI) from all the units in Suai Covalima have searched
and tortured villagers in the area. Information from the Suai church indicate that the
operation is conducted indiscriminately, including towards women. They are planning to
parade around the area and shooting at anyone on sight. We have not been able to collect
information on victims, because the situation is very dangerous. Meanwhile, Alipio Maya
Moniz who was abducted on April 5 1999, by pro-autonomy militia, LAKSAUR Merah Putih and
ABRI personell, was released on April 11, 1999. He was severly wounded and bruised.
Yayasan HAK, Dili, Timor Lorosae
"TIDAK ADA DEMOKRASI DI INDONESIA TANPA PEMBEBASAN DI TIMOR LESTE"
FORTILOS Forum Solidaritas Untuk Rakyat Timor Timur Jl. Siaga II No.31, Pejaten Barat,
Jakarta 12510 Telp. (021)79192763 Fax. (021)79192519 e-mail: fortilos@indo.net.id
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