Churches Help TNI-Polri Release Hostages Detained By KKB

JAYAPURA - Acting Benny Giay and Jayapura Bishop Mrg Yanuarius Theofilus Matepi You stated that religious leaders agreed to help the TNI-Polri release hostages who are still handling armed criminal groups (KKB).

"It is true that in the meeting between the Papuan Council of Churches and the Papuan Police Chief Inspector General Pol Mathius Fakhiri, it was revealed that religious leaders would form a team that would be deployed to negotiate to release hostages of New Zealand nationals," said Pdt Benny Giay who was accompanied by the Jayapura Bishop Mrg Yanuarius Theofilus Matopai You, quoted by ANTARA, Wednesday, May 10.

He said the assistance provided by religious leaders was so that the hostages could be immediately released because they had been with the group for a long time.

"It's a pity that the hostages so that we will help so that the negotiation process and the release of hostages can be carried out immediately," said Rev Giay.

Meanwhile, the Jayapura Bishop Mrg Yanuarius Theofilus Matopai You added that it was our concern that the church leadership was because civilians were victims.

Previously, church leaders had held meetings related to the conflict that occurred so that the release of hostages could be carried out.

Personally, if there is a shootout between the TNI-Polri and KKB or TPNPB, it does not matter because they have weapons, but the victims are civil society, where they cannot carry out their normal activities because they are filled with fear.

Church leaders do not want violence and bloodshed related to Philip's rescue efforts.

"We ask to put forward a humanitarian approach, a dialogue approach, so that it is hoped that there will be a humanitarian pause and both parties, both the TNI-Polri and KKB, stop violence, including shootouts to create a good atmosphere so that negotiations can run," said the Jayapura Bishop.

The meeting with the Papuan Police Chief Inspector General Pol Mathius Fakhiri was attended by the moderator of the Papuan Church Council, Pdt. Benny Giay, Secretary of the Synod of the KINGMI Church, Rev. Dominggus Pigai, Bishop of Jayapura, Mgr.Yanuarius Theofilus Matopai You, President of West Papua Socrates Sofyan Yoman, President of the GIDI Church Pdt. Dorman Wandikbo, Chairman of the GIDI Women's Department, Rode Wanimbo, Chairman of the KINGMI Synod in Papua, Pdt. Tilas Mom, a member of the GKI in Papua, Fransina Yoteni and the head of the Papua Province API, Jimmy Koirewoa, S.Th.

Pilot Philip has been KKB led by Egianus Kogoya since February 7 shortly after landing his plane at the Paro airport, Nduga Regency,