Papua – Even though it was hampered by extreme weather and terrain that was difficult to reach in several areas of Cenderawasih Earth, all levels of the security apparatus continued tirelessly in their efforts to free Pilot Susi Air.
Head of Operations (Kaops) Damai Cartenz 2023, Police Commissioner (Kombes Pol) Faizal Ramdhani stated that extreme weather with terrain that was very difficult to reach had become an obstacle for all levels of the security apparatus from joint personnel of the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI), Police The Republic of Indonesia (Polri) to the State Intelligence Agency (BIN) in carrying out evacuation, search, rescue and release of Susi Air airline pilots.
Previously, the Papuan Separatist and Terrorist Group (KST) led by Egianus Kogoya had taken hostage action of Captain Pilot Philips Mark Mehrtens. The action was also colored by the attack and burning of the plane. In fact, they have held the New Zealand pilot hostage since early February 2023.
The pilot was taken hostage immediately after he managed to land the plane he was piloting at Paro Airport, Nduga Regency, mountainous Papua Province. Then he was immediately taken hostage when the condition of the plane he was controlling was burnt by the KST mob led by Egianus Kogoya.
On May 26, 2023, or about 2 (two) months after the hostage-taking and attack, the KST Papua released a video showing the condition of Philips Mark Mehrtens and stated that they would immediately shoot and kill the pilot if there was no negotiations within the next 2 (two) months.
Even though they had been hampered by extreme weather and terrain that was very difficult to reach, all levels of the security apparatus from the joint personnel continued to emphasize and have a very strong commitment to continue searching.
At first, the search for the Susi Air pilot was carried out to explore as many as 3 (three) areas at once, namely in Yahukimo Regency, Lanny Jaya Regency and Nduga Regency which were allegedly hiding places and nests of the separatist gang.
However, after knowing much deeper information, now the search efforts and the evacuation mission as well as the release of Philips Mark Mehrtens are focused by all levels of the security apparatus from joint personnel by spreading to all corners of Nduga Regency.
For information, what is the description of the very difficult terrain in Nduga Regency, namely the area has a hill topography with a height of up to 3,000 (thousand) meters. It is clear that at this altitude, efforts to free the Susi Air pilot were hampered.
Meanwhile, the Commander of the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI), Admiral Yudo Margono emphasized that all efforts to release the Susi Air Pilot who was held hostage by KST Papua led by Egianus Kogoya would not use a military approach at all and would only prioritize a very humanist approach, namely opening as wide as possible the space for communication and negotiation.
The reason is that the negotiation effort is considered to be much better when compared to the option of carrying out an attack by deploying military forces there. How could it not be, because if precisely the ranks of the security apparatus from the joint personnel approach militarily, the adverse effects will be far greater.
This is because there is a very high potential risk that if the ranks of the security forces approach with violence, then this option will actually have a bad impact and could be felt widely for the local community and the area there.
Until now, the Government is also still doing all in its power and efforts to try to negotiate even with various strategies such as approaches using religious leaders, community leaders to local traditional leaders.
Lots of communication efforts have been continuously made to KST Papua so that the hopes of all parties can be achieved, namely the agreement regarding the release of the Susi Air Pilot occurred smoothly and peacefully.
Great appreciation certainly deserves to be given to all levels of the security forces who never tire of the slightest word in all their efforts in the rescue and release of Susi Air pilot, Philips Mark Mehrtens, even though the Cenderawasih Earth region was hampered by extreme weather and hard-to-reach terrain.
