TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - An armed criminal group led by Gerius Wenda finally released 11 workers of PT Timur Laut Papua (TLP) who had been held hostage since Saturday (May 9), in Bunom village, Jayawijaya, Papua Province.
Based on information gathered by Antara on Tuesday, as many as 11 workers of the company were taken hostage while they were working on road projects in the area.
The hostages were released after the negotiation team met the armed criminal group led by Gerius Wenda.
On Monday (May 11), at around 7 p.m. local time (GMT+9), the negotiation team comprising Lanny Jaya Legislator Wonikmu Kogoya, Milimbo District Chief Timutius Kogoya, and Contractor of PT TLP Alfred traveled to Bunom village to pick up the employees who were held hostage.
At around 11 p.m. local time, the negotiation team had successfully taken the employees, who were held hostage, to the companys camp in a bid to secure the heavy equipment and other vehicles.
The 11 hostage workers were then taken to Jayapura before being evacuated to Wamena.
On the other hand, Papua Police Chief Inspector General of Police Yotje Mende stated that there was no hostage-taking incident, but instead, a misunderstanding had occurred between the village head and the on-field executive officer.
"Indeed, these employees spent a night in the village, but they have now been released," Inspector General of Mende remarked.
ANTARA
