Breaking News
Dili, September 2, 2025
The Chief of the General Staff of FALINTIL (Timor-Leste Defence Forces), Lieutenant General Domingos Raúl "Falur Rate Laek," participated in the National Dialogue held at the Presidential Palace in Bairo Pite, Dili.
The National Seminar was opened by His Excellency the President of the Republic, José. Ramos-Horta, and the keynote speaker was His Excellency the Prime Minister, Xanana Gusmão, on the topic "The Role of the New Generation in the Context of National Development to Continuing the Work of the Old Generation."
Participating in this seminar were: His Excellency the President of the Republic, J. Ramos-Horta; His Excellency the Prime Minister, Xanana Gusmão, CEMGFA; Lieutenant General Domingos Raúl "Falur Rate Laek"; Retired Lieutenant General Lere Anan Timur, Member of the IX Government; Presidential Commissioner of the National Military Police (PN), Municipal Administration 13; University Students.
F-FDTL Media
Domingos Sarmento
Land Component, September 1, 2025
The Chief of Staff of the FALINTIL-East Timor Defense Force (F-FDTL), Brigadier General José da Costa Soares "TRIX," is due to open Exercise MATEBIAN 25.2 today at the Land Force Component in Baucau.
This year's Exercise MATEBIAN 25.2 was held in the municipality of Baucau, Quelicai Administrative Post, Laikai-Wa Village, Makadiki District, Uatulari Administrative Post, Viqieque Municipality, from September 1 to 14 of this year, at the planning, technical, including tactical, and operational levels. Today, the Ground Forces Component Command launched Exercise MATEBIAN 25.2 in the East, as a practical field exercise, both defensive and offensive. In practice, these are the forces to be deployed in the field. Regarding how we set up defense at the command post, tactical and practical operations, we will encounter many difficulties. Sometimes, we don't eat out of a spirit of survival; sometimes, we don't drink at night—this is also a spirit of sacrifice; sometimes, we just sleep in the shelter, not going out—this is also a sacrifice. These things must be managed to maintain discipline according to the command hierarchy. Participating in the ceremony were the Ground Component Commander, Colonel of Operation Species Dobu, the Representative Naval Commander, the Representative Air Commander, the Battalion and Unit Commanders, the Baucau PNTL Commander, the Baucau Municipal Authority, the Baukau Combat Veterans Council, the Director of the David Daika Hospital, the Regional David, and the Baukau Municipal HOREX.
F-FDTL Media
First Sergeant Garcia
Bonifácio Mendonça
Domingos Sarmento
Fatuhada Headquarters - Dili, September 1, 2025
The FALINTIL-FDTL Command, together with officials from the Ministry of Defense, raised the National Flag in early September.
In this context, the Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces, Lieutenant General Domingos Raúl "Falur Rate Laek," was the inspector of the first National Flag Raising Ceremony in September.
In his speech, the Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces (CEMGFA) praised all military personnel and Ministry of Defense officials, especially the numerous activities carried out in August, which celebrated the 50th anniversary of FALINTIL. At the same location, the Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces, Lieutenant General Domingos Raúl "Falur Rate Laek," also expressed his gratitude to all members of the F-FDTL and officials of the Ministry of Defense who worked together to celebrate FALINTIL Day with success and satisfaction.
Furthermore, the Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces, Lieutenant General Domingos Raúl "Falur Rate Laek," also congratulated the people of Timor-Leste on the anniversary of the popular consultation held last week.
F-FDTL Media
Nhoy Borges
Thailand, August 26, 2025.
The Chief of Staff of the FALINTIL (Timor-Leste Defense Forces) (F-FDTL), Lieutenant General Domingos Raúl "Falur Rate Laek," and his delegation participated in the Indo-Pacific Chiefs of Defense Forces Conference (CHODs 2025), held from August 24 to 26, 2025, in Thailand.
On the first day of the conference, following the cultural visit, he met with the Chief of the ASEAN Armed Forces and the US Commander for the Indo-Pacific, Admiral Samuel Paparo, where they discussed the security challenges faced by ASEAN member states, as well as collective efforts to build a resilient ASEAN committed to a rules-based international order.
F-FDTL Media
Aileu, August 30, 2025
The Chief of Staff of the FALINTIL - Timor-Leste Defense Forces (F-FDTL), Brigadier General José da Costa Soares "TRIX", participated in the Thanksgiving Mass on the day of the popular consultation, from August 30 to 26, at the Church of São Paulo São Pedro, in the municipality of Aileu.
After the mass, everyone brought flowers to the monument of the late President Nicolau dos Reis Lobato, in Aisirimou. Participating in the Thanksgiving Mass were the Minister of Defense, Admiral Donaciano Costa Gomes "Pedro Klamar Fuik," Ph.D.; the Minister of Social Solidarity; the Chief of Staff of the F-FDTL, José da Costa Soares "TRIX," a member of the National Military Police (PN), PDHJ (Public Security Council), veterans, a National Military Police Representative, the General Representative of the PTL of Aileu, the Defense Attachés of China, the United States, Portugal, and Australia, the Local Authority of the Municipality of Aileu, Senior Officers of the F-FDTL and PNTL, students, and the entire community of the Municipality of Aileu.
F-FDTL Media
Metinaru, August 25, 2025
(Media-F-FDTL), on Monday, the FALINTIL Command (Timor-Leste Defense Force), through the FALINTIL Chief of Staff (CEMFA), Brigadier General José da Costa Soares "TRIX," inaugurated Exercise HARI'I HAMUTUK for the 12th time at the Metinaru General Support Group (FAG).
"Today, we embark on a demanding and practical program that strengthens interoperability, deepens technical mastery, and builds confidence in our forces. We are privileged to work alongside friends and mentors from the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force, the New Zealand Defense Force, the United States, and the Australian Defense Force." "I am also proud of the F-FDTL members, whose dedication and discipline will transform training into lasting capability. The objective of this exercise is clear: to prepare our forces for real-world missions in disaster response, humanitarian assistance, or security operations through realistic, standards-based training.
"Interoperability: Aligning procedures, communication, and leadership so we function as a single team under pressure. Increasing capacity: Strengthening and sharing knowledge of the technical, logistical, engineering, medical support, and command systems that underpin mission success."
"Building trust: Technicians can quickly learn that trust is earned through time, work, and collaborative effort. The training you will learn includes: Heavy Equipment Maintenance, Horizontal Construction, Small Arms Maintenance, Welding, Combat Engineering, including water purification, Small Engine Maintenance, Vertical Construction, Construction, Medical Assistance, Catering, Command Post Training, Physical Training Instructor Mentoring, and Small Vessel Maintenance Training—these activities cover the full spectrum of combat service support and leadership." "From water purification to mobility and health, robust communications and command decision-making, from the quality of vertical work to the supervisory skills of foremen, from clinical care and hygiene to food service, to sustaining morale, from directing physical training to the maritime maintenance that sustains operations at sea."
"For this exercise to be a success for all participants, please remember the key points: Safety is the responsibility of the command and the duty of all, Quality above haste, Respect and inclusion. The Japan Ground Self-Defense Force, the New Zealand Defence Force, the United States, and the Australian Defence Force are grateful to you, your patience, and your patient partnership."
"To the F-FDTL personnel, your professionalism is our pride and our promise to the people we serve as planners, logisticians, medics, and instructors: your preparation sets the stage for success. In the coming days, train hard, safely, and together. This exercise is stronger, more cohesive, and more prepared with the authority conferred upon me. I declare open the Exercise "Build Together," "Train Well, Build Together, Serve Honorably," Hakotu CEM.
Participating in the opening were the CEMFA, the FAG Commander, the Representative Commander of the Land, Naval, and Air Force Component, and the Defense Attaché of Australia, New Zealand, the Americas, and Japan, including the joint forces for the exercise.
Media Team - F-FDTL
Nhoy Borges
- Representative of the Chief of General Staff of the F-FDTL participates in the Closing Ceremony of Exercise Felino 2025
- Major General Calisto Santos Coliati receives a visit from Lieutenant General Portugal
- VIP guests returned to their respective countries after attending the FALINTIL Day 50th Anniversary Ceremony
- The Chief of the General Staff of the F-FDTL Received a Visit Today from the Chief of the General Staff of Portugal and the Major General of New Zealand
