Almost One Month Since OPM Threatened to Shoot NZ Pilot; TNI Ensures Rescue Ops Going as Planned
Translator
Editor
21 June 2023 21:43 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The joint forces of the Indonesian Military (TNI) and National Police are still on a mission to rescue Susi Air pilot Captain Philips Mehrtens from threats by the Free Papua Organization (OPM) before the deadline given by the armed group up.
In May, the OPM threatened to shoot Mehrtens, a New Zealand national, within two months if the Indonesian government did not comply with their demands, which is Papuan independence.
Head of the TNI Information Center (Kapuspen) Rear Admiral (Laksda) Julius Widjojono said the operation was still proceeding according to plan. "The operation is continuing as planned. All methods are implemented, smart approach and combat alert," said Julius when contacted by Tempo, Wednesday, June 21.
Julius did not specify the operation in question.
Meanwhile, the spokesman for the West Papua National Liberation Army for the Free Papua Organization (TPNPB-OPM), Sebby Sambom, said they had not decided whether they would actually shoot the captain once the time is up.
He said they are still waiting for the government's response but have yet to determine what to do if they don’t get a response because they are still waiting for the situation on the field.
On May 27, the OPM released a video with a threat conveyed by Philips Mehrtens. "The Papua military here have given two more months for the countries outside of Indonesia to engage in dialogue with Indonesia and Papua for Papua independence,” Mehrtens said in the video as he sits surrounded by the armed group's members.
Philips was taken hostage on February 7 this year when the Susi Air PK-BVY aircraft he piloted was hijacked after landing at Paro Airport, in Nduga, Papua. The hijackers, led by Egianus Kogoya, set fire to the aircraft. Five passengers of the aircraft were released.
Eka Yudha Saputra
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