DILI, 20 august 2022 (TATOLI) – Timor-Leste National Defense Force (F-FDTL), today, began the celebration of the 47th anniversary with mass at the St. Anthony Parish church, in Motael, Dili.
The 47th-anniversary mass was presided by Fr. Juvito do Rego to pay homage to the memory of the martyrs and remember the establishment of the FALINTIL 47 years ago.
In his homily, Father Rego called on the Timorese people to pay homage and tribute to the martyrs who sacrificed their lives during the 24-year resistance for the independence of the nation.
“Without the dedication and sacrifices of our martyrs and our combatants, we wouldn’t enjoy the peace, stability, and freedom that we have today. They wrote our history with their own blood. Therefore, I would like to begin by congratulating the F-FDTL on this special day,” Fr. Rego praised F-FDTL in his homily at the St. Anthony Parish church, in Motael, Dili, today.
He said many FALINTIL members were killed right from the establishment of the FALINTIL 47 years ago: “Let’s pay our homage and tribute for their dedication and sacrifices. Our heartfelt thanks to all veterans who made the ultimate sacrifice for the independence of this nation. As we are well aware that many of our freedom fighters are still alive and keep contributing to the development of F-FDTL.”
Fr. Rego said the word ‘FALINTIL’ will stay forever in the hearts of the Timorese people and become the main part of the history of the Timor-Leste’s struggle during the 24-year resistance.
“F-FDTL plays a crucial role in protecting the nation and its people from the external threats to ensure a secured, freedom, peace, and stability country that we have today,” he said.
Fr. Rego stressed that F-FDTL had made significant achievements in terms of professionalism: “Maintain your professionalism and discipline to serve the people and the nation.”
After the mass, the Chief of the General Staff of the F-FDTL, ‘Falur Rate Laek’, accompanied by the General Angus John Campbell, a senior officer in the Australian Army, António Manuel Fernandes da Silva Ribeiro, the Chief of the General Staff of the Portuguese Armed Forces, the Former Chief of the General Staff of F-FDTL, Lere Anan Timur, members of the government, members of parliament, and F-FDTL officers tossed flowers into the sea at Dili’s Port to remember the memories of the martyrs.
On the same day, the generals also laid flowers at the Cemetery of Timorese Heroes in Hera, Dili.
Among the official commemorative dates, the law establishes the 20th of August as the official commemorative date for the Day of the National Liberation Forces of Timor-Leste (FALINTIL), which this year celebrates its 47th anniversary.
Journalist: Filomeno Martins
Editor: Nelia Borges
