ZOAHARIAN.COM – The case of the attack on the Persib Bandung U-18 group bus at Rest Area KM 360B, Batang Regency, Central Java, has entered a new phase. The police named three people as suspects, while Maung Bandung management expressed their appreciation for the progress in handling the case.

The incident that befell the group of young Persib players is once again in the spotlight. Not only does it concern the team's safety while traveling, this case is also a reminder that football rivalries should not turn into violence.

Persib's Youth Development Program Director, Zaenal Arif, expressed his thanks to the Batang Police Chief and all staff who had worked on the case.

According to him, the police's steps in uncovering this case are an important part of encouraging the creation of a safer Indonesian football climate that upholds sportsmanship.

"I would like to express my thanks to the Batang Police Chief and all the staff who have worked hard to handle this case. We appreciate the process that has been underway and hope that the handling can continue to be monitored until it is complete," said Zaenal in a statement received by VIVA in Bandung, Tuesday.

Zaenal hopes that the legal process can run to completion so that the issue obtains legal certainty.

He also asked all parties to trust law enforcement officials to resolve cases based on evidence and applicable regulations.

"Next, let's entrust the legal process to the authorities," he said.

Police Reveal the Identity of Three Suspects

Previously, Batang Police Chief Commissioner Pol. Warsono revealed that investigators had named three people as suspects in the case of the attack on the Persib U-18 group bus.

The three have the initials BPA (33), HH (26), and MF alias T (26).

The suspect was identified after the police collected a number of pieces of evidence, ranging from witness statements, surveillance camera or CCTV footage, to other evidence related to the incident.

Based on the results of the investigation, the three suspects are suspected of having different roles in the incident. Investigators are still carrying out examinations to investigate their respective involvement.

Warsono emphasized that case handling was carried out professionally and objectively. The police, he said, based the investigation process on evidence, not the group background or identity of the supporters.

"From the start, the Batang Police handled this case professionally, objectively and based on evidence, not based on group background or supporters' identities," he said.

Persib Reminds Rivalry is Not a Reason to Attack

In the midst of developments in this case, Persib reminded that differences in support in football should be part of healthy competition.

Support for the club can be enthusiastic. However, rivalry should not be used as a justification for carrying out actions that threaten the safety of others.

Moreover, the group that became victims was a young age group team that was undergoing a coaching process for the future of Indonesian football.

The safety of players, coaches, officials and the entire team must be a common concern, both during the match and when traveling.

The case of the attack on the Persib U-18 bus in Batang is now a test of the commitment to keep football on the path of sportsmanship. The disclosure of the suspect is an important development, but a complete resolution of the case is still awaited.

The message we want to emphasize is simple: rivalry may be heated on the pitch, but violence must have no place in football.