TNI Admits Susi Air Pilot Rescue Mission In Papua Is Constrained By Weather

Kapuspen TNI Rear Admiral (Laksda) Julius Widjojono (Muhamad Jehan/VOI)

JAKARTA - Head of the Indonesian Armed Forces Information Center (Kapuspen) Rear Admiral (Laksda) Julius Widjojono admitted that during the rescue operation, Susi Air Capt pilot Philip Mark Merthens in Nduga, Papua, the mountains were constrained by weather conditions.

"The most difficult thing is the weather, the pilot's condition is known, the operation has become increasingly narrow and focused, so the weather is very uncertain in Papua," Julius told reporters at the TNI Puspen TNI Headquarters, Cilangkap, East Jakarta, Sunday, April 16.

Julius said the TNI had tried to communicate with the Battalion R 321/GT Task Force related to the operation through radio channels. However, there are slight obstacles in communication, making it difficult to save Susi Air's pilot operation.

"So the weather, and this is very uncertain in Papua. Yesterday we tried to communicate via radio channels and it was still hampered," he concluded.

Previously, TNI Commander Admiral Yudo Margono admitted that he was optimistic to save Susi Air Pilot Captain Philip Mark Mehrtens, who was held hostage by the Armed Criminal Group (KKB) led by Egianus Kogoya, was released safely.

"God willing, I am optimistic. Yes, optimistic," said Yudo.

Yudo is also optimistic that Philip will be safe if his release is carried out in a persuasive manner. According to him, if the rescue is carried out by military means, the KKB will not hesitate to shoot the pilot.

"If I release it by military means, I have monitored the conversation, 'later when you meet the TNI, just kill it, shoot it, later let the TNI be accused of killing this pilot'," he said.