Jayapura, Jubi – The Democracy Alliance for Papua (AlDP) is pressuring the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) to release Philip Mark Mehrtens, a New Zealand pilot with Susi Air, who has been held captive by TPNPB since February 7, 2023.
“For humanity reasons, we urge the release of the pilot in a safe manner,” AlDP’s Justice Division representative Latifah Alhamid said on Saturday, December 9.
Under the leadership of Egianus Kogoya, the TPNPB took Philip Mark Mehrtens after Mehrtens landed the Susi Air aircraft at Paro Airstrip in Nduga Regency, Papua Province. Kogoya’s group also set the plane on fire. Philip Mark Mehrtens has been in TPNPB’s captivity for eleven months now.
Alhamid highlighted that Mehrtens’ captivity signifies the loss of protection and safety assurances for public servants in remote areas. She emphasized that the prolonged efforts for the pilot’s release demonstrate diplomatic weaknesses and the country’s efforts in establishing communication links with civilian populations.
“We hope the efforts to release the pilot will not result in tragic consequences for the civilian population and the pilot himself,” she expressed.
AlDP Director Latifah Anum Siregar mentioned that the government has not adequately engaged with local figures such as religious and traditional leaders in the process of freeing the Susi Air pilot.
“Everyone comes forward to offer help in releasing [the pilot], but rushing without knowledge or experience when in fact, it is not enough,” she remarked.
According to Siregar, the Susi Air pilot can only be freed through involvement from religious and traditional figures in Nduga Regency. She emphasized that the government needs to consider the cultural context in Papua.
“They [the government] do not see it in the cultural context. There are crucial figures in that area, and if they are not involved, it shows a lack of respect for them and it will not work,” she asserted. (*)
