News

Dili, August 20, 2025

The wife of the Chief of General Staff of the Royal Brunei Darussalam Armed Forces, Ummisyafinah Haji Zaini, and her delegation visited the tais weaving center in Taibesi and Kintal Bo'ot. In addition to visiting tais, they also visited the Resistance Museum to hear the history of Independence.

The visit was accompanied by the wife of the Chief of General Staff of the F-FDTL, Lieutenant General Falur Rate Laek, Mrs. Rosa Maria Quintão, wife of Major General MAUNANA, wife of Major General SABIKA BESI KULIT', and all members of AFAMA.

The visit went smoothly thanks to the security of the Military Police Unit (PM).

F-FDTL Media

Nhoy Borges

Headquarters, August 20, 2025

The Chief of General Staff of the FALINTIL (Timor-Leste Defence Forces) (F-FDTL), Lieutenant General Falur Rate Laek, received a visit today from the Chief of General Staff, Diraja Brunei Darussalam, Major General Dato Paduka Seri Haji Muhammad Haszaimi Bin Bol Hassan, at the F-FDTL Headquarters in Fatuhada No. 1.

This visit is an important step toward further strengthening the friendly ties between the Armed Forces of both countries in the future, especially the FALINTIL (Timor-Leste Defence Forces) (F-FDTL) and the Royal Brunei Armed Forces. In an interview, the Chief of General Staff of FALINTIL (East Timor Defense Forces), Lieutenant General Falur Rate Laek, stated that this is a meeting between us and Brunei Darussalam, as the Sultan previously visited our country, as did our President of the Republic, Dr. José Ramos Horta. I was recently invited last month to visit Brunei Darussalam, where General Brunei came to visit today. That's why I invited him; he came to participate in our FALINTIL 50th anniversary ceremony. Furthermore, we have also initiated integration into ASEAN and must work together.

He added that today we discussed the development of the Armed Forces of both countries. I also asked about their experience in joining ASEAN and how they prepared.

In the future, we may also participate in the defense seminar in Brunei Darussalam, where we are working together, and they are also happy to work together and cooperate well with us in the future.

F-FDTL Media

Baquita Auxiliadora

Portugal, August 19, 2025

The Timor-Leste delegation that participated in Exercise Felino in Portugal was visited by the Timor-Leste Defense Attaché in Portugal.

Colonel Mário Baptista "Bersama" is the Timor-Leste Defense Attaché in Portugal, representing the Chief of the General Staff of Timor-Leste to visit the Timor-Leste delegation that participated in Exercise Felino 2025.

Meanwhile, the Timor-Leste delegation that participated in Exercise Felino 2025 is composed of the FALINTIL Unit Commander, Lieutenant Colonel Abel da Costa Xavier "Niki", Lieutenant Colonel Grigorio Bernardo Correia, Lieutenant Captain António do Rosário, Major Adelino Vilela, and Captain Abílio da Costa. The exercise will begin on August 11, 2025, and end on August 22, 2025. The participating countries are São Tomé and Príncipe, Guinea-Bissau, and Timor-Leste.

F-FDTL Media

Baucau, August 18, 2025.

Commemorating the 50th anniversary of FALINTIL, the Chief of Staff of the FALINTIL - Timor-Leste Defense Forces (F-FDTL), Lieutenant General Domingos Raúl "Falur Rate Laek", called on the Timorese to continue spreading peace throughout the world, contributing to the best of their ability: overcoming life's obstacles and achieving peace in the Baucau Municipal Administration. "We gather here not only to reflect on our shared past, but to renew the positive values ​​of our present and chart the course for our future," he declared in a speech read by the Chief of Staff of the General Staff, Colonel Marcelino Ximenes "Rizai," at the Baucau Municipal Administration.

He stated that this important day invokes the memory of those who fought in the war and gratitude to those who, with the new generation, will assume the responsibilities that will inherit the nation. In the context of TL's struggle for self-determination, FRETILIN emerged as a political force mobilized to seek independence, above betrayal and colonial conflict.

"The creation of FALINTIL on August 20, 1975, to defend the people and the national territory requires an organization of the Armed Forces with the capacity to protect the population, support independence, and repress external aggression, especially against powers that threaten national liberation," he stated.

Therefore, the Government, through the Ministry of Defense and the F-FDTL, decided to choose "Extending Peace to the World" as the general theme for this year's FALINTIL Day celebration. The Chief of the General Staff of the FALINTIL-FDTL believes this theme reflects peace and harmony.

"This theme guides us to the value of reflection, of spreading peace throughout the world, and of direct dialogue with these legacies. In our history, in war, we learned to fight, just as in times of peace, we know how to make peace," he said.

Because the struggle for liberation teaches us to defend the land and demonstrates democratic maturity, it demands that we open our doors to the world to witness that peace is the work of justice, dialogue, and cooperation.

The subtheme for this year's FALINTIL Day celebration is: FALINTIL with national identity, building the character of a nation, because we affirm that identity is not a monument, but the process of building national character is formed through suffering and hardship.

He also urged the government to continue serving the people, educating them, and caring for them, because FALINTIL teaches that this country is built through sovereignty and the responsibility to defend its territory, respect international law, and foster international relations with other countries. FALINTIL also teaches courage and prudence, acting firmly against injustice without giving in to violent tensions, discipline and unity, and fulfilling the duty of peace and tranquility, without forgetting that the people are at the center of the mission.

He also called for unity and that respect for diversity, plurality, and culture of origin be a wealth that strengthens the nation.

Furthermore, he urged all Timorese to work with integrity and place the public interest above personal gain, transparency, and honor.

Independence is not the end, but rather the beginning of a peaceful and lasting collective effort, based on impartial institutions, a professional Defense Force, a police force close to the citizens, a reliable credentialing system, and a public administration dedicated to the common good.

"Peace as a national and international mission. The Timorese experience gives us the moral authority to participate with humility and competence in the peace mission, regional cooperation, and sustainable development initiatives," he stated.

"Our uniform must be synonymous with protection and mediation to spread peace throughout the world. Therefore, in the future, we must also invest in defense diplomacy, with participation and ongoing training, so that our contribution is credible and effective," he concluded.

Media-F-FDTL

J'Silva