The National Army-Police are Still Looking For New Zealand Pilot in Nduga

JAYAPURA - Commander of the Cartenz Peace Task Force Chief Commissioner of Police (Kombes) Faizal Rahmadani acknowledged that until now the National Army-National Police (TNI-Polri) are still looking for the whereabouts of Susi Air pilot Philip Merthens who is a New Zealand national.

"Until now, his whereabouts cannot be known because his GPS has not been on since Tuesday (7/2) at around 10.00 a.m. Eastern Indonesian Time (WIT)," said Kombes Faizal, reported by ANTARA, Thursday, February 9.

The Director of General Criminal Investigation at the Dirkrimum) Polda Papua said that the location of the 15 construction workers was not with the pilots or passengers of the Susi Air plane.

The 15 workers were in the mountains and hiding after managing to escape to the mountains with the help of residents.

"The TKP for evacuating the 15 workers is different from the crime scene for the Susi Air pilot who was at the airport, but both of them are still in Paro District, Nduga Regency," explained Faizal.

It was explained that the Paro District had been the headquarters of the Armed Criminal Group (KKB) led by Egianus Kogoya and before the burning of the Pilatus Porter plane belonging to Susi Air, KKB threatened to kill the workers.

Receiving the threat they then fled to the mountains and were rescued by residents, then when they were at a height they had time to communicate so that their position was known.

"Currently, various efforts are still being made to find out the whereabouts of the pilot," said Kombes Faizal.

KKB led by Egianus Kogoya Tuesday morning (7/2) set fire to a plane belonging to Susi Air piloted by Philip Merthens carrying five passengers from Timika.