Mimika – Head of Police Public Relations Division Inspector General Pol. Dedi Prasetyo said that the condition of the pilot of the Susi Air plane, Captain Philip Mark Merthens, was in good condition after being held hostage for 3 weeks by the armed criminal group (KKB) led by Egianus Kogoya.
“From the results of the communication between the team and the local government, thank God the pilot’s condition is still in good condition,” said Dedi confirmed in Jakarta, Friday.
According to Dedi, the National Police together with the Carstensz Damai Task Force, which includes the TNI, local government and religious leaders, are prioritizing dialogue efforts in releasing the pilot from New Zealand.
This dialogue effort, he said, was carried out by the local regional government, namely the local district head who communicated with the KKB and traditional leaders.
“Our most important goal is safety, the main goal is the safety of Susi Air pilots, that’s all for now,” he said.
The two-star general said that the communication between the local government and the KKB was to ensure the safety of pilot Philip.
“So, even though it’s been 3 weeks (hostage), the soft approach means that communication between the local government and the KKB is still prioritized first, and the most important thing is that the safety of the pilots is the determining factor,” he said.
The former Central Kalimantan Police Chief said that one of the obstacles was the difficulty of communicating with signals.
To be able to communicate, he said, members or the local government must find a certain location point to be able to reach communications.
“Communication is not as easy as in other areas, and there the signal to communicate is rather difficult. This is the main obstacle,” he explained.
Dedi emphasized that efforts to release pilot Philip were as much as possible by the Cartenz Damai Task Force together with local government and religious leaders with the main approach being a soft approach so that the pilot could return to good health.
The National Police, he said, did not have a time limit for this release operation. Dialogue efforts are prioritized while ensuring the condition of the Susi Air pilot is in good condition.
However, he continued, law enforcement efforts are also being prepared, and will be enforced when input and suggestions are received from the local government and religious leaders.
“We are preparing for law enforcement, later we will maintain lines of communication with the local government, religious leaders will provide suggestions and input to the law enforcement team,” said Dedi.
Pilot Philip who brought the Pilatus plane owned by Susi Air has been held hostage by KKB since Tuesday (7/2). KKB burned the plane at Paro Airport, Nduga, Papua Mountains.
