BNPT The Value Of The TNI-Polri Collaboration Successfully Frees Pilot Philip

JAKARTA - Head of the National Counterterrorism Agency (BNPT) Eddy Hartono assessed that the collaboration between the TNI and Polri in the negotiation effort with the armed criminal group (KKB) managed to free the pilot Susi Air, Captain Philip Mark Mehrtens.

"This is the fruit of the patience of the apparatus in conducting long negotiations to prioritize human values," said Eddy in a statement received in Jakarta, Sunday.

He also appreciated the successful collaborative steps taken by the TNI-Polri together with the government and traditional and local religious leaders in an effort to release pilot Philip.

Previously, Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Hadi Tjahjanto said that the negotiation process carried out by the Cartenz Peace Operations Task Force of the TNI-Polri lasted very long and was escorted from time to time.

"This very long negotiation process was carried out by the task force from the TNI-Polri which continued from time to time, from day to day monitoring developments in the Nduga area. And we are grateful that what we want in the field can go well," Hadi said at a press conference at Halim Perdana Kusuma Air Base, Jakarta, Saturday (21/9).

Hadi conveyed that the negotiation process in the effort to release the New Zealand pilot involved many parties, from community leaders to churches.

It is known that Pilot Philip Mark Mehrtens has been held hostage by the KKB led by Egianus Kogoya since February 7, 2023. Philip was kidnapped by the KKB after the plane belonging to the Susi Air airline he piloted was burned at the Paro Airport, Nduga, Papua Mountains.

Mehrtens was released on Saturday (21/9) and picked up by the Cartenz Peace Operations Task Force team in Yuguru Village, Maibarok District, Nduga Regency.

Then, the Task Force flew Mehrtens to Timika for a health check process. After being declared healthy, Mehrtens was flown from Timika to Jakarta by plane belonging to the Indonesian Air Force.

Arriving in Jakarta, Mehrtens had been handed over by the Indonesian government represented by Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Hadi Tjahjanto to the New Zealand Ambassador to Indonesia Kevin Burnett who represented his country's government.