Jayapura – Panglima TNI Jenderal TNI Agus Subiyanto said the release of Susi Air pilot Philip Mark Mehrtens, who had been held hostage by the armed criminal group (KKB) led by Egianus Kogoya in the Papua Mountains region, would still use negotiation channels for 10 months. Panglima Agus avoided firefights so that the pilot from New Zealand was released in safe condition.
“We will continue to carry out diplomacy. We will avoid a single gunshot,” said Panglima TNI Agus Subiyanto to journalists in Jayapura City, Papua, Friday, (8/12).
Panglima Agus also handed over the negotiation process to the local Regional Leadership Communication Forum (Forkopimda). He did not provide a time limit for the negotiation process carried out by the local government.
“Yes, we used a soft approach and then used diplomacy through Forkopimda in the area,” said Panglima Agus.
For your information, pilot Philip Mark Mehrtens has been held hostage by the KKB led by Egianus Kogoya since February 7 2023. The fate of Philip Mark Mehrtens, who has been held hostage by the KKB for 10 months, is not yet known.
Previously, Kapolda Papua Irjen Pol Mathius D. Fakhiri said that efforts to free Philip Mark Mehrtens from the hands of the KKB were still ongoing. Mathius hopes that the release of Philip Mark Mehrtens will be a Christmas gift.
“We hope that all the communication bridges that have been built can bear fruit. Hopefully we can get Christmas gifts,” said Irjen Pol Mathius D. Fakhiri.
Irjen Pol Mathius said this hope was based on the results of developments carried out by the Acting Regent of Nduga, Edison Gwijangge. Mathius said that Edison Gwijangge had communicated with Egianus Kogoya’s group.
“There is progress, yesterday I told you that the Regent had entered. I don’t want to review that because it is confidential,” he said.
Even so, Irjen Pol Mathius did not want to reveal further regarding the plans that were being carried out. He trusts the local government, religious leaders, community leaders and the Egianus family itself.
“We can’t do this, let’s just entrust them to work and I am very sure, God willing, it will be finished well,” he emphasized. Bembo
