Dili, 30 January 2026 – The Ombudsman for Human Rights and Justice has concluded a two-week induction and capacity-building training for 13 Public Administration Agents (AAP), held from 12 to 30 January 2026. The training aims to prepare the participants to serve as PDHJ focal points in the municipalities of Lautem, Viqueque, Baucau, Aileu, Ainaro, Ermera, Covalima, Maliana and Oé-Cusse.
The Ombudsman Virgílio da Silva Guterres “Lamukan” expressed his hope that the training conducted by the PDHJ team would serve as a practical guide for the focal points in carrying out their duties professionally and in line with the mandate of the institution. “I hope that the training you have received during these two weeks can become a reference for your work in the municipalities, so that you are able to perform your functions professionally and responsibly,” he said.
Speaking at the PDHJ Library in Caicoli on Friday (30/1), the Ombudsman emphasized that the lessons gained during the training should be seen as an initial foundation, rather than an endpoint.
“I hope that what you have learned during these days will be enough to sustain you for some time, as an initial provision. However, it is highly important you must keep learning, developing yourselves, and strengthening your capacity independently,” he said.
The Ombudsman further appealed to the focal points to establish good and professional communication with local authorities, particularly the President of the Municipal Authority, the National Police of Timor-Leste (PNTL) and the FALINTIL–Defence Force of Timor-Leste (F-FDTL). “We must maintain good communication with the authorities. When something is wrong, we must say it is wrong, but we must convey it in a professional way, not out of emotion or personal anger,” he stressed.
In addition, he reminded the new officials to uphold integrity, responsibility, and loyalty, and to avoid conflicts of interest. “Sometimes people come to complain about our own relatives or people close to us. In such situations, we must remain neutral and place the public interest above personal relationships,” the Ombudsman said.
Previously, on 16 January 2026, the Ombudsman for Human Rights and Justice, together with the Public Service Commission, officially marked the commencement of the contracts for the 13 Public Administration Agents. The focal points will be assigned as follows: Marçal Mariz da Cruz and Lino Soares (Ainaro); Marta Clementina Ambo de Carvalho and José Marçal de Sousa Amaral (Lautem); Norberto Amaral Ribeiro and Abílio Tilman (Covalima); Juvência Irene da Costa (Aileu); Agostinho Monteiro (Ermera); Januário Soares Piedade Pinto (Viqueque); Pascoela Moniz de Jesus (Maliana); and Águeda da Costa Xavier as Administration and Finance staff at PDHJ Delegation Territorial of Oe-Cusse.
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