Secretary for Security, Cheong Kuoc Va stressed today the joint operation by the Public Security Police and Judiciary Police to rescue prominent Portuguese lawyer Neto Valente had fully proven the security forces had the ability to protect Macau resident and maintain social stability.

Speaking at a press conference, Mr. Cheong elaborated that after Valente was kidnapped on the 28th February, a special investigation group was immediately formed to follow the case, which involved at least 100 police.

Mr. Cheong stated that the Ministry of Public Security of the People's Republic of China highly concerned this case and assigned officials from the Guangdong Provincial Public Security Department to fully cooperation with the Macau police.

He added security officials of Guangdong had provided important clues for solving the case and Macau police took actions in early this morning.

Mr. Cheong said the first suspect was arrested in a residential flat in Taipa Island, adding based on his confession, Mr. Valente was held at the seventh-floor of a residential flat in the Kin Chit Estate in Macau Peninsula.

He also said police rescued Mr. Valente and arrested two suspects and another suspect had fallen to his death when trying to escape from the arrest.

Chief Executive Edmund Ho Hau Wah was satisfied with the performance of the police and highly praised for those who had participated in this operation.