Jayapura – Efforts to free Susi Air pilot Captain Philip Mark Mehrtens who were held hostage by KKB Papua are still being carried out.
For this release, TNI Commander Admiral Yudo Margono revealed that he did not choose the option of attacking the group led by Egianus Kogoya.
This option was not chosen because it was feared that it would cause victims from among civil society.
Admiral Yudo Margono emphasized that efforts to release the pilot from New Zealand were through negotiations.
Currently, the TNI Commander said that the negotiations to free Captain Philip from the hands of the KKB Papua led by Egianus Kogoya are still ongoing.
The negotiation effort was led by the Acting Regent of Nduga involving traditional, religious and community leaders.
“If it’s an attack that loses someone, it’s certain that the community will be affected. That’s why we are still pushing ahead with the negotiations, the Acting Regent of Nduga is ready,” said Yudo.
He claimed that Mehrtens was in good health while being held hostage by the KKB.
“Yes, thank God according to healthy information,” he said.
Yudo also added that while the negotiating team was working, the TNI apparatus was still tasked with maintaining the security situation in Papua.
“We are still maintaining the situation so that it remains conducive in all districts, all districts. We are always guarding together with the National Police to keep the situation under control,” said Yudo.
