Ex-commando said to aid terrorists
A report from Bandung announces that former Dutch commando officer Captain Raymond Westerling had taken command of the APRA militia, despite lingering controversy over allegations that troops under his command had killed thousands in South Celebes.
BANDOENG (Java), Sat (Reuter): A former officer of Dutch Army commandoes, 28-year-old Captain 'Turee'' Westerling, now commands a local security force in Pasundan Province entitled 'Angkatan Perang Ratu Adil' — literally translated as 'Army of Heavenly Host.'
This was stated by Pasundan provincial parliamentarians who recently criticised the appointment. Westerling, they said, was a 'mystery man' alleged to
be in touch with Darul Islam terrorists in the district.
Dutch Army officers said that Westerling was suspended from duty two years ago following an inquiry into the action of a commando company under his command which
was accused of having killed 5000 people during antiterrorist operations in the Celebes. The official report on the inquiry was not published.