Bali Nine pastor says it's only matter of time before another Aussie faces the firing squad

Will Cabantog, 35 and David Van Iersel, 38, were arrested as a result of raids in the town of CangguImage: 7NEWS

The Melbourne pastor who witnessed the shooting execution of Bali Nine ring leaders Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran says Aussie travellers have learned little from the pairs' tragic mistake.

As two former Melbourne nightclub promoters face months inside a squalid Denpasar police cell, Christie Buckingham has urged the Australian Government to do more to ensure young people don't fall into the same trap.

She has warned it is only a matter of time before another unlucky traveller faces the firing squad.

She said warnings on Etickets and inflight videos could be one tangible step to ensure visitors jetting to Indonesia understood the risks.

Australian tourists account for 1.2 million of the four million annual visitors to Bali.

"Australia may not have the death penalty but eight of our neighbouring countries do," Pr Buckingham told 7NEWS.com.au.

"Unless the laws change, it's only a matter of time before somebody else faces the death penalty like Myuran and Andrew."

Will Cabantog, 35 and David Van Iersel, 38, were arrested as a result of raids in the town of Canggu, northwest of Kuta earlier this week.

They were caught as part of a wider swoop by Indonesian investigators targeting a major cocaine trafficking syndicate.

`It's going to be very tough for them'

While the latest Aussies targeted have yet to be charged, they will likely remain behind bars while police prepare a brief of evidence.

Pr Buckingham said the duo had a hard road ahead.

"It's going to be very tough for them, they will have very minimal assistance and may even rely on volunteers just to bring them food."

Pr Buckingham, who leads Melbourne's Bayside Church with husband Rob, was a spiritual advisor for Bali Nine's Myuran Sukumaran, praying with him in the final moments before his execution by firing squad in 2015.

Alongside Chan, he had been convicted for trying to smuggle heroin through Denpasar airport a decade earlier.

Despite the case making headlines around the world, Pr Buckingham said young Aussie travellers appeared to be `desensitized' to the risks.

"It boggles my mind," she said. "If convicted of the crime, these are foolish men. But it also proves what we have always been saying. The death penalty or the threat of lengthy or erroneous penalties don't prevent people from taking these risks."

She said it underlined the need for Australia and Indonesia to work closer when it came to education and prevention.

Parading suspects not the answer

Rev Christie Buckingham with portraits of Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran.

Parading the suspects in shackles before the media, failed to get to the root cause, Pr Buckingham said.

RELATED | Conversations: Rajan Narayan, actor in "Execution Island", the final moments of Myuran Sukumaran and Andrew Chan

"Indonesia does not have the same legal and medical provisions as Australia.

"People are too desensitised," she said. "The average person wouldn't even realise the legal drinking age in Indonesia is 21. That means any young person heading over for schoolies put themselves in a difficult situation regarding insurance.

There must be stronger warnings

"There must be stronger warnings."

Pr Buckingham said the movie, Guilty, a depiction of the final hours of Sukumaran's life, should also be made available to watch on flights to Bali.

The film was launched by Virgin founder Richard Branson and Sukumaran's mother in Melbourne last year to mark International Day Against the Death Penalty.

RELATED | Bali Nine pastor Christie Buckingham says threat of death penalty hasn’t stopped laid-back Aussie travellers from taking risks

Meanwhile, friends have rallied to support Cabantog and Van Iersel in any way they can.

Some described Cabantog as the `life of the party' who had quickly earned a reputation on Bali's party scene since he moved from Melbourne for a new life last year.

He had previously posted photos alongside celebrities and football stars including `Honeybadger' Nick Cummins, Collingwood legend Dane Swan and president Eddie McGuire.

Since relocating to Bali for work he said he had found renewed purpose working as a promoter at the Lost City Nightclub.

"My outlook on life is about as bright as this orange suit jacket.

"Every day I wake up meditate and think about how greatful (sic) I am to have the things in my life.

"I appreciate my family my friends and the new connections I have made.

"One day I woke up and said to myself I’m sick of feeling depressed, I’m stick (sic) of pleasing people who don’t add value to my life, I’m sick of playing a persona that isn’t me.

I made a change and you can too. I've never been as happy as I am now. This trip has truly been lifechanging

"I made a change and you can too. I’ve never been as happy as I am now. This trip has truly been lifechanging and I have never been so determined and so focused in my life. Your vibe attracts your tribe and I truly believe that."

On LinkedIn, Mr Cabantog said he was proud to have been voted among the 100 best bartenders in Australia.

It's understood he launched his career in hospitality behind the bar at St Kilda's popular Vineyard. He went on to management roles at Crown's Club 23 and Eve nightclub juggling rosters, stock orders and administrations.

Van Iersel had previously worked at St Kilda bar Captain Baxter before opening a bar in Collingwood that has since been closed down.

Source: 7News, Aaron Langmaid, July 24, 2019

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