Luminous Points For Rescue Of Water Susi Pilots From KKB's Hand

Susi Air Pilot Philip Mark Merthens, who is currently being held hostage by the KKB led by Egianus Kogoya in Nduga Regency, Papua Mountains Province. (STIMEWA/VIA ANTARA)

JAKARTA - Susi Air's pilot rescue process, Philip Mark Mehrtens, is starting to find a bright spot. This is because the joint TNI-Polri team has detected the presence of an armed criminal group (KKB) led by Egianus Kogoya the mastermind behind the hostage-taking.

"It's true, it has been detected (the whereabouts of KKB and Philip Mark Mehrtens, ed)," said Head of Public Relations of the Papua Police, Kombes Ignatius Benny Prabowo to VOI, Tuesday, February 21.

Regarding the location or coordinate points of the existence of KKB and Philip Mark Mehrtens, Benny was reluctant to clearly convey. The reason is that rescue operations are confidential.

Moreover, if it is conveyed later it will disrupt the rescue process of the Susi Air pilot.

"However, I cannot convey the details because they are confidential because they can interfere with pilot rescue efforts," said Benny.

In addition, it was emphasized in rescue operations, the joint TNI-Polri team focused on safety from Philip Mark Mehrtens. Thus, all efforts made are full of caution.

"The TNI and Polri focus on the safety of pilots, so it takes proper and careful efforts," said Benny.

Previously, the Head of the Public Relations Division of the National Police, Inspector General Dedi Prasetyo, said that currently the apparatus is still trying to negotiate with the Armed Criminal Group (KKB) which took the pilot Susi Air hostage, Philip Mark Mehrtens. This negotiation involves Papuan figures.

"Currently, the joint TNI-Polri team is still communicating (with the release of Philip Mark). Negotiations continue to be carried out involving religious leaders, church leaders, local people to communicate with the KKB," said Dedi.

Efforts to release New Zealand's citizens by the authorities did not stop there. If persuasive efforts end in the deadlock, the TNI and Polri officers will not hesitate to take legal action against the KKB.

"Now waiting for further situations. If a deadlock occurs, then the last resort is law enforcement," he said.

The KKB led by Egianus Kogoya is currently still holding New Zealand's Susi Air pilot Philip Mark Merthens hostage. The hostage-taking has been carried out since Tuesday, February 7 last.

Before taking the pilot hostage, Egianus and his group burned the Susi Air plane with flight number PK-BVY. This incident occurred after the passenger plane landed at Paro Airfield.

Currently, the local community has left Paro and fled to Kenyam, the capital of Nduga Regency. The Paro resident walked to Kenyam, so the Acting Regent of Nduga asked for help in evacuating sick, old or female and children.

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