Maritime Police Commander Saldanha Dies From Heart Attack

DILI, 14 February, 2020 (TATOLI) — The commander of Timor-Leste’s Maritime Police Unit (UPM), Lino Saldanha, has died in hospital in Dili after suffering a heart attack.

The 49-year-old was admitted to hospital around 10:30am yesterday morning in a critical condition, according to HNGV Hospital’s head of emergency, Todi de Jesus, but he could not be revived.

Mr Jesus said Mr Saldanha had been undergoing treatment for heart disease and hypertension.

Lino da Silva Saldanha, born 13 September 1970, was a long-serving officer, and a former Deputy Commander with the National Police (PNTL). He was appointed head of the UPM in 2010.

He leaves behind his wife, Eulália Brás Carvalho da Silva, three sons and four daughters. His family has been receiving large amounts of condolences at their family home in the Motaél neighbourhood of Dili

Consolations published by Filomeno da *Paixão* de Jesus, the Interior Minister: “With deep feelings of regret, the Ministry presents its condolences to the family of Supt Saldanha who died prematurely today… leaving everyone whom he lived with, with sincere yearning.”

Saldanha a ‘potential future leader’: PNTL Chief

Lino Saldanha graduated the national police academy shortly after the end of the Indonesian occupation, in May 2000. He served in Liquiça as an officer, moving into forensics and police intelligence in 2002.

By July of that year, he was promoted to District Police coordinator, before moving into the Department of Planning and Strategy at police headquarters in Dili.

As head of the maritime police from 2010, Lino Saldanha commanded some 178 members across nine districts, charged with combatting smuggling, piracy, illegal migration and terrorism. The UPM was set up in 2009 to operate under the command of PNTL.

Commanding officer of PNTL, Faustino da Costa. (Image/António Gonçalves)

The Commander of the National Police of Timor-Leste (PNTL), Commissioner Faustino da Costa, said it was a “great sadness for the institution” of PNTL to hear of Lino Saldanha’s death.

“We have lost a great figure, a future leader who was the best of the institution of PNTL,” he said.

Commissioner Faustino addressed the media after a meeting with President Francisco Guterres Lú-Olo, and conveyed the Timor leader’s condolences.

“The President sends his condolence and solidarity to the institution of PNTL, and also to [Saldanha’s] family,” Commissioner Faustino said.

Journalist: Felicidade Ximenes; Cipriano Colo; Eugénio Pereira
Editor: Robert Baird; Xisto Freitas; Francisco Simões
Translation: Nelia Borges