Until Now, Susi Air Pilot Philip Merthens, Who Was Taken Hostage By KKB Egianus Kogoya, Has Not Been Identified

Danrem 172/PWY Brigadier General Juinta Omboh Sembiring. (ANTARA)

PAPUA - Commander of Korem 172/Praja Wira Yakthi Brigadier General Juinta Omboh Sembiring said that until now the whereabouts of Susi Air pilot Philip Merthens who was held hostage by the Armed Criminal Group (KKB) in Nduga, Papua, are not yet known. "It is true, the whereabouts of the New Zealand national pilot is not yet known. TNI and Polri members are still searching for the person concerned and hope to be safe," Sembiring said when confirmed by ANTARA from Jayapura, Wednesday, February 8. The armed criminal group (KKB) led by Egianus Kogoya on Tuesday set fire to Susi Air's sickle Porter, driven by Philip Merthens from New Zealand, carrying five passengers, including a baby. The arson was carried out by a number of KKB members at the Paro Airport, Nduga Regency, Papua, Tuesday morning. The plane belonging to Susi Air flew from Timika at 05.33 WIT and was scheduled to arrive at Moses Kilangin Timika Airport at 07.40 WIT. Meanwhile, the Commander of the Cartenz Peace Task Force, Kombes Faizal Rahmadani, said that the TNI and Polri personnel had succeeded in evacuating as many as 15 construction workers who were building the puskesmas in Paro to Timika. This building worker was threatened with death by the KKB led by Egianus Kogoya in Paro, Nduga Regency. After receiving threats, they immediately fled and were rescued by residents on the mountain and then rescued by a joint TNI-Polri team using three helicopters to Kenyam. "After everything arrived in Kenyam and was then evacuated, now the 15 workers are already in Timika," said Kombes Faizal, who is also the Director of Criminal Investigation at the Papua Police. The 15 construction workers are Gregorius Yanwarin, Domianus Wenehen, kappeus Belyan, Ical Behuku, Simon Walter, Martinus Yanwarin, Gerardius Ruban, Fransiskus Rendi Ruban, Yogi Parlahutan Siregar, Refalino Walten, Antonius Heatubun, Martinus Heatubun, Andreas Kolatlena, Amatus Ruban, and Walterius Emanuel Heatuban.