Follow the Carnation Revolution, the Portuguese authorities also start the preparations for the independence of East Timor (ex-Portuguese Timor), until then a peacefully territory. The disputes between the several Timorese political parties involves in to an armed conflict, forcing the Portuguese governor Lemos Pires to withdraw to the Atauro Island, off Dili, in late August 1975. After a request from Lemos Pires, the Portuguese Navy sent the newly built corvette NRP "Afonso Cerqueira" that arrives the waters of Timor in the early October 1975. In the early December, the corvette NRP "João Roby" also arrives the area. On 7 December 1975, the Indonesian Armed Forces start the invasion of East Timor.