Papuan Police Chief Invites Acting Regent Of Nduga To Be Involved In Freeing Susi Air Pilots Hostage Of KKB

New Zealand's Susi Air Pilot, Philips Mark Mertens (third from the left), was held hostage by the KKB led by Egianus Kogoya. (Ist)

Papuan Police asked Acting (Pj) Nduga Regent Edison Gwijangge to help free a New Zealandese Susi Air pilot, an Armed Criminal Group (KKB) hostage led by Egianus Kogoya.

"The acting Nduga Regent who has just been inaugurated is expected to build active communication so that the Egianus group no longer demands things given by the state," said Papua Police Chief Inspector General Mathius Fakhiri in Jayapura, Papua, Tuesday, June 27, as reported by Antara.

Admittedly, currently various approaches have been made, both through community leaders, religious leaders and Egianus' own family.

"Hopefully, Egianus' steps will change his attitude so that he wants to hand over the hostages to the officers," Fakhiri hoped.

The Papuan Police Chief admitted that his party continues to communicate with various parties so that there is a good solution to be able to sit down together to resolve the KKB's demands so that the Susi Air pilot named Philips Mark Mertens is released. Most importantly, he continued, not to leave the context of a country.

"We want him (Egianus) to hand over the Philips hostages that have been held since February 7 at Paro, so that the TNI-Polri will try their best to deal with this problem," said the Papuan Police Chief.

Regarding Egianus' ultimatum to kill his hostages on July 1, 2023, the Papuan Police Chief stated that he would continue to establish communication with Egianus' family so that they could contain emotions and communicate with security forces.

The Papuan Police Chief said there were no additional troops to release Susi Air pilot Philips Mark Mertens.

Previously, the KKB led by Egianus Kogoya on social media threatened to shoot the hostages Philips Mark Mertens which will be carried out in July 2023.