By : Diane Ronsumbre )*
Until now, the Susi Air pilot named Capt. Phillips is still a KST (Separatist and Terrorist Group) hostage. Joint officers from the TNI, Polri and the State Intelligence Agency (BIN) continue to work together to free the pilot. The public is optimistic that with this cooperation the pilot will be released quickly and KST will surrender.
The Susi Air plane was burned and the passengers were taken hostage, including the pilot. This tense incident occurred in Nduga Regency, Papua. The authorities moved quickly and took firm action against KST who did this. This separatist group must be dealt with in a firm, measured manner so as not to kidnap indiscriminately and tarnish Papua’s good name in the eyes of the world.
The Separatist and Terrorist Group (KST) acted again and this time they took the Susi Air pilot hostage in the Nduga area. KST was strongly criticized by the public for always committing crimes. Moreover, the victims were civilians who did not know anything but were hostages of the separatist group.
The TNI and Polri have negotiated to free Philip. However, these efforts have not yet produced results. This is because elements of the security apparatus consisting of the TNI, Polri, and BIN implement strict procedural standards to prevent casualties, including civilians.
It is also known that Philips is in good health, as reflected in the video circulating showing that the New Zealand pilot is in good health. Therefore, the public is asked not to worry too much and to always support the various efforts of the security forces in freeing Philips.
Security forces continue to work hard to free Capt. Phillips. This is because the New Zealand pilot must be immediately released by KST, who has been spreading terror on the Earth of Cenderawasih. The government offered various efforts to immediately free the pilot, either through negotiations, using family channels, or even offering a ransom. However, the Government is firmly committed not to grant independence to Papua.
Papua Police Chief Inspector General Mathius D. Fakhiri stated that negotiations had been carried out with KST but had not yet found common ground. The reason is because they not only asked for ransom in the form of money, but also demanded Papuan independence. However, KST made things even more difficult because they also threatened to hurt Capt. Phillips.
Inspector General Pol Mathius Fakhiri hopes that the threat will not be carried out because Egianus and his group are religious people. Egianus and his extended family can also think about humanitarian matters so that they don’t go around violating what religion wants, namely taking someone’s life.
Until now, security forces and the government are still trying to carry out negotiations through various parties. However, he again said that it all depended on Egianus, whether he wanted to accept the offer made or not. All efforts to save Captain Philip will continue to be made, including law enforcement measures if negotiations do not produce results.
Meanwhile, TNI Commander Admiral Yudo Margono spoke out about the KST threat. According to him, the deadline for negotiations cannot be determined. In line with this, Yudo ordered the Commander of the Joint Regional Defense Command (Pangkogabwilhan) III Lt. Gen. TNI Agus Suhardi to continue negotiations.
Admiral Yudo Margono continued, the government does not want this resolution process to use violence because it will definitely have an impact on society. The government took the route of carrying out negotiations by sending religious and community leaders.
The joint Task Force (Satgas) of the Indonesian National Army (TNI) and the National Police of the Republic of Indonesia (Polri) and the State Intelligence Agency (BIN) admitted that extreme weather and difficult terrain were the main factors hindering them in their efforts to carry out the liberation mission for Susi Air airline pilots. .
It is also known that the weather in Papua, especially the area where Capt. Philips often changes so it is difficult to predict.
Regarding this matter, Papua Police Chief, Inspector General Mathius D. Fakhiri explained that the Separatist and Terrorist Group led by Egianus Kogoya deliberately continued to move their hostage location with the aim of making it difficult for security forces to track them.
Even though KST moved locations with the aim of deceiving and so that the security forces could not trace the whereabouts of the separatist gang, it turns out that the sophistication of the authorities cannot be doubted. Moreover, the troops pursuing KST were not only from the TNI but also from the National Police and BIN. The public is also optimistic that KST’s arrest will be successful and the Susi Air pilot will soon be released.
The security forces were tireless in pursuing KST for the mission of freeing the Susi Air pilot, Capt. Phillips. Even though there was a threat from Egianus Kogoya, it was ignored, because it was only a threat and was not proven. Every effort was made, including negotiations by sending religious and community leaders, so that the pilot was quickly released.
)* The author is a Papuan student living in Manado
