REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- The atmosphere was tense in Ternate City, North Maluku, after clashes erupted between supporters of candidates for the regional election in Salero area of Ternate City on Friday. Two support groups, equipped with various types of weapons, such as arrows, homemade weapons, air guns, machetes, and spears, struck each other.

Head of Military District 152/Babullah Ternate, Major Inf. Iriono noted in Ternate on Friday that the clash was not an actual event but only a simulation under the framework of the XVI/Pattimura Military Preparedness Exercise in the Korem 152/Babullah region to deal with social conflicts.

The activity was organized by TNI Kodiklat, which is an exercise under the framework of training and testing the extent of preparedness and synergy between stakeholders in the region in handling social conflicts.

At that time, a joint security force from the Armed Forces, Police, and Civilian Security PP was immediately deployed to dissolve the tensions. Although at the start, it was difficult to bring the situation under control or just negotiate due to the enormous amount of time and emotions running high, thereby resulting in some public facilities being burnt down.

Efforts to diffuse tensions are made on an ongoing basis, including in the territorial waters by the Navy, by handling the situation in a step-by-step and systematic manner until the provocateur is ultimately secured, and the victim immediately rushed to the nearest hospital.

Around noon, information was obtained that hundreds of people had crossed aboard dozens of boats to support the action in Ternate, but their arrival could be immediately intercepted by the Sea Lanal Ternate Rider team and were encouraged to return to their respective places.

After the clashes abated, matters were negotiated until a mediation was struck at the Ternate Mayor's Office.

Military Resort Command (Danrem) 152/Babullah, Deputy Mayor of Ternate, Ternate Police Chief, Military District Command (Dandim) 1501/ternate, community leaders, and the head of each camp were present during the mediation process. After the hearing, the two parties were able to reconcile their differences and signed the agreement.

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