Negotiations With KKB Free Captain Philip, Papuan Police Chief Involves Church Councils, Bishops To Special Teams

Papuan Police Chief, Inspector General Mathius D Fakhiri (Rizky Adytia Pramana-VOI)

JAKARTA - Papua Police Chief Inspector General Mathius D. Fakhiri said he would involve the Council of Churches and bishops in the process of releasing Captain Philip Mark Mehterns from the hostage-taking of the armed criminal group (KKB) led by Egianus Kogoya. The Susi Air pilot has been held hostage by the Papuan separatist group since February 7 or 4 months ago. "I spoke with various parties about this negotiation process, including the Church in which there is a Council of Churches and bishops who will negotiate as much as possible with the Egianus Kogoya group to be able to release the pilot he was carrying," Fakhiri said in a statement received in Jakarta, Thursday, May 25. Not only that, but a special team has also been sent to try to negotiate and facilitate all parties who want to help. This is because the safety of Captain Philip Mark Mehterns is the most important thing. “ I hope the negotiations produce good results, we give the Egianus group the opportunity to return the pilot through good negotiation channels, Everything is ongoing and from the church we will help one of the Kingmi Church which will later send their confidants to carry out the negotiations,” he said It is said that he will accept any party who wants to be involved in the negotiation process with the KKB, including from outside Papua. Although until now the negotiation process is still being put forward, it is said that the Cartenz Peace Task Force has prepared to take appropriate, decisive and measurable law enforcement steps.

"Of course negotiations can be done with anyone, I open myself up to all parties, from the start, namely the Nduga government in collaboration with the police chief. Then there are also parties from Komnas HAM who offer themselves and we accept,” said Fakhiri.