Jayapura – Thobias Bagubau, a member of the Central Papua People’s Representative Council (DPR), expressed his regret over the shooting of a pilot and the burning of a plane that occurred at the Balinggama Village airport, Sobaham District, Yahukimo Regency, Papua Highlands Province.
The shooting of the American pilot of a pioneer aircraft owned by PT Associated Mission Aviation (AMA) Air, Nicholas F. Goselin, occurred on July 2, 2026.
“We deeply regret [the incident]. This means that such actions should not occur,” said Thobias Bagubau in a written message to Jubi on Monday (July 6, 2026).
Thobias Bagubau stated that mission aircraft belonging to religious institutions such as the Catholic Church and the Gospel Camp have long been the lifeblood of communities in remote areas.
“The mission planes are safe. The remote interior, these isolated areas, really need these small planes. Without them, everything would be paralyzed,” he said.
He said these small flight services support various aspects of the lives of the residents of the remote areas, from access to cities to health services.
“Every aspect of our lives is paralyzed, especially livelihoods, the economy, health, and religious services. Everything is paralyzed,” he said.
Bagubau also asked the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) to reconsider such actions in the future.
“Free Papua fighters, TPNPB, must pay attention, must think carefully before carrying out such actions,” he said.
He also questioned the impact of such actions on the group’s long-standing struggle.
“What’s the benefit of shooting down a plane, shooting down a pilot? I’m sure this is actually detrimental.”
Bagubau said that the possibility that such a small-bodied plane was carrying TNI (Indonesian National Armed Forces) logistics should be responded to with a warning, not violence. He added that a warning should be given to the pilot in question.
He emphasized that these aircraft were essentially only serving passengers and the general public.
Bagubau hoped that all parties involved in the conflict in Papua would help ensure the safety of mission aircraft operating in the interior, and that incidents like this would not recur. He urged the TPNPB leadership to discuss this issue internally.
“This is absolutely guaranteed and must be protected by everyone, including the TPN-OPM, TPNPB, TNI-Polri, local communities, and village officials. This matter will be discussed internally soon to prevent such incidents from happening again. This must be instructed to all leaders throughout Papua,” he said.
Bagubau also emphasized the importance of conducting the struggle professionally, purely, and transparently, with full attention to all aspects.
