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Waibobo, September 14, 2025
The Chief of the General Staff of the FALINTIL (Timor-Leste Defense Forces), Lieutenant General Falur Rate Laek, along with the Chief of Staff of the F-FDTL, Brigadier General José da Costa Soares "TRIX," visited the Military Health Center, along with the Municipal Services of Baucau and Vique, and treated communities at the Suku Waibobo Ossu Administrative Post in the Viqueque Municipality.
During the visit, the Chief of Staff of the FALINTIL (Timor-Leste Defense Forces), Lieutenant General Falur Rate Laek, urged doctors to treat the communities well, as access to treatment is very difficult in remote areas. "I ask you, from the Military Health and Health Services of the municipalities of Viqueque and Baucau, to treat our communities well so they can recover their health. Parents, you cannot hide your illness. You must share your feelings with our children so they can treat us, because we are sick, so don't hide your illness".
F-FDTL Media
2nd Sergeant Carceres
Headquarters, September 16, 2025
The Chief of Staff of the FALINTIL - Timor-Leste Defence Force (F-FDTL), Lieutenant General Falur Rate Laek, held a courtesy meeting with the Representative of the Indo-Pacific Effort, Brigadier General Malcolm Wells of Australia.
The meeting was held at F-FDTL Headquarters in Fatuhada, Dili.
Australian Embassy, Timor-Leste
F-FDTL Media
Izidor Lopes
Headquarters, September 16, 2025
1. Honourable Australian Ambassador,
2. Chief of the Armed Forces, Brigadier Malcolm Wells
3. Commander of the Indo-Pacific Endeavour, Brigadier General Harris,
4. Australian Defense Attaché in Timor-Leste in Canberra,
5. INTERFET veterans, without a team, Australia gains points faster,
6. Commanders, Officers, NCOs and Ranks of the F-FDTL,
7. Leaders of the Ministry of Defense and all DCP personnel present here,
8. Distinguished, ladies and gentlemen,
Good morning, welcome to Timor-Leste! This is a profound and unprecedented honor for the Indo-Pacific Endeavor 2025 initiative, marking the beginning of a new chapter of cooperation and also the 26th anniversary of INTERFET. This solemn moment connects the past to the future, memory to aspiration, legacy to renewal.
Indeed, 26 years ago, in September 1999, due to the referendum that strengthened the Timorese people's resolve to achieve independence, the international community responded to the call for unprotected security. INTERFET, led by Australia under the command of General Peter Cosgrove, represents a decisive moment in the history of Timor-Leste in terms of international solidarity that prevented the transition to freedom in a sovereign state.
INTERFET is not just a military operation; it is an act of faith in the self-determination of the people, a commitment to human dignity, and a demonstration that international cooperation, when guided by just principles, can change the course of history. When it was time to shape a moment in the future, it was time to fund the strategy between Timor-Leste and Australia.
Today, we pay tribute to those who served in INTERFET, including Australia, New Zealand, Portugal, Brazil, Thailand, Singapore, Bangladesh, Canada, Malaysia, the Philippines, South Korea, Fiji, Great Britain, and many others who answered the call for peace. We also pay tribute to the Timorese resistance fighters who maintained independence for decades and to the civilians who, with extraordinary courage, defended the right to self-determination.
Indo-Pacific Endeavor 2025 continues this legacy, transforming the hope that INTERFET brings into capabilities for a future of sustainable peace and regional cooperation.
The main activities known to take place this year are:
1. INTERFET Sports Competition
2. Fern, Peace, and Security Training Program for women in the F-FDTL, to recognize women's participation in all dimensions of security.
Honor the spiritual dimension. 3. Military Chaplain Exchange, which was crucial during the Timorese resistance.
4. Inclusive Community Engagement Program, which reflects INTERFET's impact at all levels of society.
These programs incorporate three fundamental pillars: cooperation between sovereign partners, respect for diversity, and trust built through concrete actions.
To the veterans of INTERFET, your work has resulted in a free and sovereign Timor-Leste.
For new generations, you are the legacy of a tradition of courage and idealism.
This program is not a stand-alone activity, but a continuation of the historical legacy that has evolved from the initial intervention to independence and now to the consolidation of a mature strategic partnership.
We hope that INTERFET's spirit of courage, solidarity, and activity, inspired by justice, will be filled with great success and positivity in the coming days.
Embassy of Australia, Timor-Leste
Thank you very much.
F-FDTL Media
Nhoy Borges
Izidor Lopes
Headquarters, September 13, 2025
Nineteen (19) members of the FALINTIL-Timor-Leste Defense Force (F-FDTL) completed a ten-day public speaking training course at the Eiros Group, a program conducted in collaboration between FALINTIL-FDTL and the Australian Defense Cooperation Program (DCP).
In his speech, the Deputy Chief of the Personnel Division, Major Rui do Rosário, stated that the Eiros program has trained many military personnel, from computer courses to public speaking. This is the second time, and the command is grateful, as it has prepared the conditions and trainers to help the FILFTL-TLI prepare for the future. He added that, before concluding, please remember to mention the name of the command and express their gratitude to the Director of the Eiros Group, who has maintained a good cooperation with the Command, as well as to the trainer, Mr. Leovijlido Hornai. We are very grateful for their generous dedication to teaching our soldiers on this topic.
F-FDTL Media
Bonifácio Mendonça
A delegation from the Australian Armed Forces, Brigadier General Malcolm Wells, and a delegation, arrived in Timor-Leste to commemorate the 26th International Force Timor-Leste (INTERFET) Day.
The delegation accompanying Brigadier General Malcolm Wells consisted of Lieutenant Colonel Lisa Steel and Australian Chaplain Cesar Lopez Rios.
The delegation was received by the Deputy Chief of Staff, Colonel Renilde Guterres Corte Real e Silva, Captain Marquita da Cunha, and the F-FDTL Chaplain, Captain Rui Filomeno de Jesus Gomes, SDB, at Presidente Nicolau Lobato International Airport in Comoro, Dili.
The objective of the Australian Armed Forces is to commemorate the 26th International Force Timor-Leste (INTERFET) Day, which is scheduled to begin on September 20 of this year.
F-FDTL Media
Nhoy Borges
Quelicai, September 14, 2025
After participating in the closing ceremony of Exercise MATEBIAN 25 in Nahae Village, Makadiki District, Watulari Administrative Post, Viqueque Municipality, the Chief of the General Staff of the FALINTIL - Timor-Leste Defense Forces (F-FDTL), Lieutenant General Falur Rate Laek, along with a delegation, visited the Quelicai Heroes' Garden to pay tribute upon his relocation to Dili.
The visit to the Quelicai Heroes' Garden aims to honor the deceased Mothers of the Nation who fought for independence and also to take a closer look at the Quelicai Heroes' Garden. Chief of the General Staff of the FALINTIL-Timor-Leste Defense Forces (F-FDTL), Lieutenant General Falur Rate Laek, accompanied by Quelicai Veterans, Second Commander of the Ground Component, Lieutenant Colonel Arlindo da Silva 'LOES', Commander of the 1st Battalion of the CFT, Lieutenant Colonel Filipe Quindo, Second Commander of the F-FDTL Daytime Air Component, Lieutenant Colonel Grad Salustiano de Vasconcelos, Deputy Chief of the F-FDTL Personnel Division, Major Rui do Rosário, Second Commander of the Military Police Unit, Captain Júlio de Olveira, and the entire delegation.
F-FDTL Media
Sergeant Carceres
- Chief of the General Staff of the F-FDTL visits the F-FDTL Ataúro Detachment Post
- Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the F-FDTL Participates in Meeting of ASEAN Chiefs of Staff in Malaysia
- Approximately 50 F-FDTL members participate in a forced march from Tibar to Tasi Tolu
- F-FDTL and Ministry of Defense meet with the RAEOA P.A. after distributing basic necessities to priests, including children from orphanages
