Kodam Deploys Personnel To Help Search For Head Of Criminal Investigation Unit Teluk Bintuni

MANOKWARI - Regional Military Command (Kodam) XVIII/Kasuari deployed Battalion 763/Sanetia Buerama Amor personnel and Battalion 642/Kapus Task Force to assist in the search for the Head of Criminal Investigation Unit of Teluk Bintuni Police, Adjunct Commissioner of Police Tomi Samuel Marbun, who was reported missing.

Head of Information for Kodam XVIII/Kasuari Colonel Infantry Syawaludin Abuhasan in Manokwari, West Papua, Saturday, said the search operation for the Head of Criminal Investigation Unit of the Bintuni Bay Police was still ongoing after the person concerned was reported missing since December 18, 2024.

"Our organic personnel (Yonif 763) plus the Battalion 642/Kapus Task Force are currently conducting a search. If there is any latest information, we will immediately convey it," said Syawaludin.

He explained that the search operation did not only involve joint personnel from the two Infantry Battalions, but Bintuni Bay Police personnel with the target location of the West Moskona District, Bintuni Bay.

The Kasuari Kodam has confirmed that it will continue to monitor the progress of the search operation from Wednesday (18/12) until Saturday afternoon.

"We will monitor developments through the task force commander who is also at the scene," said Syawaludin.

Meanwhile, the Papua Peace Network (JDP) advised the ranks of the TNI and Polri to use a persuasive socio-cultural and socioanthropological approach in overcoming disturbances of security and public order (kamtibmas) in West Papua.

JDP is concerned about the violent incident in the form of a gun battle between the TNI and Polri officers and the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) group or the armed criminal group (KKB).

"The application of this approach pattern intends to prevent armed conflict that causes casualties. Moreover, this is ahead of Christmas 2024," said JDP spokesman Yan Christian Warinussy.

Based on information received from JDP sources, he said, there had been a gun battle in West Moskona District, Teluk Bintuni Regency, West Papua, on Wednesday (18/12).

The incident involved the TPNPB Kodap IV Sorong Raya group with a member of the Bintuni Bay Resort Police led by the Head of the Criminal Investigation Unit AKP Tomi Semuel Marbun.

"The weapon contact lasted approximately an hour near a cloudy area near the river," said Warinussy.

According to a JDP source, about 14 personnel from the Criminal Investigation Unit of the Bintuni Bay Police tried to save themselves using a fiber boat across the river during a gun battle.

The presence of personnel from the Bintuni Bay Police Satreskrim in the West Moskona area intends to pick up a number of residents who want to return to their respective villages.

"Following the Criminal Investigation Unit was two of the three civilians who had surrendered a few months ago," said Warinussy.

The Head of Public Relations of the West Papua Police, Senior Commissioner of Police Ongky Isgunawan, who was confirmed by ANTARA via electronic message, has not provided an answer to the development of the gun battle incident.