'I Don't Dare to Approach': Asep's Story Finds a Box with a Cable in Front of the Bandung GKPS Church

BANDUNG - The morning atmosphere in the Baranangsiang, Kosambi, Bandung City, Bandung area suddenly gripped after a suspicious object suspected of being a bomb was found in front of the entrance to the GKPS Church.

The findings were first discovered by the local security manager, Asep Kamaludin, who admitted that he did not dare approach the object because it looked suspicious.

Asep said that the initial report was received at around 08.30 WIB from one of the shop owners named Agus. At that time, Agus reported a suspicious box near the church building.

"Around half past nine in the morning I received a report from Mr. Agus. He said he had reported to the post twice because I had not come. As soon as I arrived, he reported again and said there was a suspicious box like a bomb," Asep said when met at the location, quoted from Antara, Friday, December 19.

Receiving the report, Asep admitted that he immediately headed to the location to ascertain the conditions on the ground. However, he chose to keep his distance after seeing the shape of the object which he considered unusual.

"I didn't dare get close. I took a picture with my phone, but from a safe distance. I didn't dare hold or touch it because it looked suspicious," he said.

According to Asep, the suspicious object was in the shape of a box resembling a box with a number of cables that could be seen coming out of it. The distance between him and the object was estimated to be about one meter when he first saw it.

"It looks like a box, a box, and there are cables coming out. It's clear, so I don't dare hold it," said Asep.

After documenting the findings, Asep immediately reported it to the Sumur Bandung Police for follow-up. Not long after, the police officers along with the Bomb Disposal Unit (Jibom) of the West Java Police Brigade arrived at the location to carry out security.

Officers immediately sterilized the area around the discovery site and installed a police line to prevent residents from approaching. A number of activities around the shop were also stopped for security.

Asep ensured that when the suspicious object was found, there was no worship activity or other activities taking place inside the GKPS Church. The condition of the church at that time was reported to be empty.

"His position is indeed close to the entrance of the church, but there is no activity inside. I also didn't get close," he said.

As of Friday afternoon, the police were still carrying out security and further checks at the location to ensure the type and level of danger of the object. The police have not given official information regarding the results of the interim examination.