TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Indonesian military said they still don't know the whereabouts of Philip Merthens, a Susi Air pilot who was taken hostage by the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB OPM) led by Egianus Kogoya in Nduga, Papua. Philip Merthens, a citizen of New Zealand, was about to take off on a Pilatus Porter when hijackers set fire to the airplane on Tuesday, February 7.

The arson was carried out by a number of KKB members at the Paro District Airport, Nduga Regency, Papua, Tuesday morning. In addition to the pilot, there were five passengers on board, including a baby.

"We can confirm that the pilot's whereabouts are still unknown. The location of the New Zealand national is unknown. Members of the TNI and the police are still searching for him, and we hope he is safe," Brig. Jen. Juinta Omboh Sembiring, the Commander of Military Resort 172/Praja Wira Yakthi, said on Wednesday 8 February.

15 Construction Workers Escaped Murder

Meanwhile, Commander of the Cartenz Peace Task Force, Senior Commissioner of Police Faizal Rahmadani, said TNI and Polri personnel had evacuated 15 construction workers in Paro, Nduga Regency. The workers were building a health center in Paro when they were threatened to be killed by an armed group led by Egianus.

The workers managed to escape to the mountain tops with help from local residents. They were then rescued by the police and the army using helicopters. Faizal said the 15 workers are now safe and sound in Timika.

Antara

Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News