Jayapura, Jubi – Associated Mission Aviation (AMA) has denied allegations that its aircraft were used to transport Indonesian military or police personnel, or to carry ammunition during its operation in Papua.
AMA Operations Manager Darma told Jubi that the airline’s flight are dedicated to serving remote communities across Papua, primarily through government-subsided air services. He said the aircraft are used to deliver food supplies, transport critically ill patients from isolated villages to urban hospitals and provide other essential humanitarian services.
Darma made the remarks at Bhayangkara Hospital in Kotaraja, Jayapura on Friday (July 3), while awaiting the completion of a post-mortem examination on the body of AMA pilot Nicholas F. Gosselin.
He said the company regretted the allegations made by the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB), adding that AMA had never received any formal warning from the armed group.
Darma said the body of Gosselin, an American citizen, would be returned to his family as soon as possible.
According to him, following a farewell Mass in Sentani, Gosselin’s body was taken to Bhayangkara Hospital for a forensic examination. Access to the examination room, however, was restricted.
He added that after the examination, Gosselin’s body would be flown to Jakarta, where the United States Embassy would oversee arrangements for its repatriation to his family.
AMA’s Yahukimo station chief, Roland, said the airline was still waiting for the completion of the post-mortem examination before the body could be flown to Jakarta.
“We hope the entire process proceeds smoothly and that his body is returned safely to His family in the United States,” Roland said.
Earlier, TPNPB spokesperson Sebby Sambom said the fighters from TPNPB’s Yahukimo Regional Command (Kodap XVI), Bakusip Company, were responsible for the shooting that killed Gosselin and for setting the AMA aircraft on fire.
The attack took place in Balinggama Village, Sobaham District, Yahukimo Regency, Papua Highlands Province on Thursday (July 2).
Sambom claimed the aircraft was targeted because it had allegedly been used to transport Indonesian military personnel and had ignored the TPNPB’s warning.
“We burned the aircraft because the pilot violated the TPNPB’s ultimatum,” Sambom said in an electronic statement on Thursday night.
According to Sambom, the group believes civilian aircraft have routinely been used to transport Indonesian troops and military logistics into Papua’s interior to support military operations, which it alleges have resulted in civilian casualties among Indigenous Papuans.
“We have issued an ultimatum banning all civilian aircraft from entering the operational area of TPNPB Kodap XVI Yahukimo,” he said. (*)
