Perpetrators Of Persecution Of 12 Residents In Bolmong-Kotamobagu, North Sulawesi With Machetes Arrested

MANADO - Police personnel from Kotamobagu, North Sulawesi, arrested a man suspected of persecuting 12 residents in the Bolaang Mongondow (Bolmong) and Kotamobagu areas.

"The perpetrator who was arrested had the initials IM, 24, a resident of Lolayan, Bolmong. The perpetrators abused the victims using machetes," said Head of Public Relations of the North Sulawesi Regional Police Kombes Jules Abraham Abast in Manado as reported by ANTARA, Wednesday, June 22.

The first persecution took place in Lolayan Village, around 16.30 WITA, with the victim Abdul Halim, a resident of East Passi, Bolmong.

"The victim was getting off the motorcycle at that time and was immediately assaulted by the perpetrator in the head," said Abast.

After that, continued Abast, the perpetrator stopped the motorbike being driven by residents, then took the vehicle away to Kotamobagu.

“When at the red light in Matali, Kotamobagu, at around 17.00 WITA, the perpetrator assaulted a passenger on a motorbike named Ceisya. Then the perpetrator fled to Pobundayan, Kotamobagu," he said.

The actions of the perpetrators apparently did not stop there. When passing along Pobundayan street, the perpetrators again abused several community members who were on the side of the road. The perpetrators were then chased by the police along with the residents to the Pobundayan and Tabang borders.

While being chased, the perpetrator entered the cow shelter area, then assaulted three cows belonging to the residents.

"After that, the perpetrator and the evidence of a machete were finally secured by the police. The perpetrator was then rushed to the Pobundayan Hospital, Kotamobagu because he also suffered a torn wound in the back," said Abast.

Abast said 12 victims were being treated at the Pobundayan Hospital due to injuries in several parts of the body.

"To anticipate things that are not desirable, Kotamobagu Police personnel carry out security at the Pobundayan Hospital and also at the perpetrator's house," he said.

Meanwhile, according to Sangadi (village head) Lolayan, the perpetrator had a mental disorder.

"However, to determine the certainty of the mental condition of the perpetrator, we are still waiting for a medical examination," said Abast.

Abast also appealed to members of the public, especially the families of the victims, to exercise restraint and not to get emotional over the incident.

"Residents are advised to remain calm and entrust the handling of this incident to the police," he said.