Inp.polri.go.id - Manado. North Sulawesi Regional Police Chief Inspector General Setyo Budiyanto announced on Sunday evening (26/11/2023) that the city of Bitung was safe and under control following clashes between two protesting groups on Saturday that claimed one live and injured two others. The authorities have arrested seven suspects, one of whom is a minor. "I would like to inform the entire community, especially those in Bitung and generally in North Sulawesi, as well as all Indonesians, that as of tonight, the situation in the Bitung area is safe and under control," he said during a press briefing attended by  the North Sulawesi Police Director of General Crimes Senior Superintendent Gani Siahaan, Bitung Military Commander Liutenant Colonel Hanif and Bitung Mayor Maurits Mantiri. While activities in several areas appeared normal on Sunday evening, Chief Setyo asserted that security measures, particularly patrols and static security operations, would continue as a top priority. He acknowledged that the police, with the support of the Bitung Military Command and the North Sulawesi Police, would continue to secure the area in the coming days. Chief Setyo urged those involved in the violence to surrender, assuring them that they would be treated fairly by investigators. He warned that failure to surrender could lead to arrest and inclusion on the wanted list. Addressing the issue of the spread of rumours and misinformation, he urged the public not to be easily provoked. He highlighted the importance of verifying information before believing or sharing it, especially when it comes from unverified or anonymous sources. (mg/inp/pr/nm)