ID :
77628
Sun, 08/30/2009 - 00:42
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/77628
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MP DEMANDS PROBE ON PINDAD-MADE WEAPONS IN PHILIPPINES
Jakarta, Aug 29 (ANTARA) - A lawmaker urged the government Saturday to probe the alleged seizure by the Philippine customs authorities of tens of weapons made by Indonesian arms industry PT Pindad.
"It (the case) must be investigated," Yusron Ihza Mahendra, a member of the House of Representatives' Commission for defense, information and foreign affairs, said at a discussion here.
All relevant agencies, including the Defence Ministry, the State Enterprises Ministry, the Trade Ministry, the Industry Ministry and the State Audit Board must coordinate in investigating the case, he said.
"The probe is necessary to shed light on whether or not the arms shipment is legal," he said.
He said the Philippines might not question the arms shipment if PT Pindad had complete documents. "How could they (the Philippines) declare their ordered arms illegal?" he asked.
Last Thursday, Philippine customs officers detained Panama-registered cargo ship Capt Ufuk docking off the Mariveles coast.
They found 50 SS1-VI Pindad-made rifles, several other military devices and 10 empty wooden boxes. They believed the contents of the boxes had been removed before they inspected the ship.
The Philippine police alleged that the firearms and rounds of ammunition would be used to supply a terrorist group and criminal organization in Asia and Africa.
PT Pindad denied that the firearms were sold illegally saying the weapons were ordered by Mali and the Philippines.
The state firm said it had received an order from the Philippine markmen association for 10 P2 pistols and an order from Mali for 100 SS1-VI rifles.
It said the ordered firearms were put in 20 boxes, including one destined for the Philippines.
PT Pindad spokesman Timbul Sitompul said on Friday all the weapons found by the Philippine customs officers were ordered by the Philippine and Malian governments.***
"It (the case) must be investigated," Yusron Ihza Mahendra, a member of the House of Representatives' Commission for defense, information and foreign affairs, said at a discussion here.
All relevant agencies, including the Defence Ministry, the State Enterprises Ministry, the Trade Ministry, the Industry Ministry and the State Audit Board must coordinate in investigating the case, he said.
"The probe is necessary to shed light on whether or not the arms shipment is legal," he said.
He said the Philippines might not question the arms shipment if PT Pindad had complete documents. "How could they (the Philippines) declare their ordered arms illegal?" he asked.
Last Thursday, Philippine customs officers detained Panama-registered cargo ship Capt Ufuk docking off the Mariveles coast.
They found 50 SS1-VI Pindad-made rifles, several other military devices and 10 empty wooden boxes. They believed the contents of the boxes had been removed before they inspected the ship.
The Philippine police alleged that the firearms and rounds of ammunition would be used to supply a terrorist group and criminal organization in Asia and Africa.
PT Pindad denied that the firearms were sold illegally saying the weapons were ordered by Mali and the Philippines.
The state firm said it had received an order from the Philippine markmen association for 10 P2 pistols and an order from Mali for 100 SS1-VI rifles.
It said the ordered firearms were put in 20 boxes, including one destined for the Philippines.
PT Pindad spokesman Timbul Sitompul said on Friday all the weapons found by the Philippine customs officers were ordered by the Philippine and Malian governments.***
