Susi Air Pilot, Captain Philip Mark Mehrtens, Arrives In Jakarta Tonight

Head of the Public Relations Task Force for Cartenz Peace Operations 2024, Kombes Pol. Bayu Suseno (photo: ANTARA dock)

Head of the Cartenz Peace Operations Public Relations Task Force 2024, Kombes Pol. Bayu Suseno, revealed that the Indonesian Air Force aircraft carrying the Susi Air Pilot, Captain Philip Mark Mehrtens, is expected to arrive at Halim Perdanakusuma International Airport, Jakarta, Saturday, September 21 at 20.00 WIB.

In a press release received in Jayapura on Saturday, September 21, Bayu explained that the plane carrying Captain Philip was scheduled to transit first at Sultan Hasanuddin Airport, Makassar, to refuel before continuing the flight to Jakarta.

"The plane is scheduled to transit at Sultan Hasanuddin Airport, Makassar, to refuel before continuing the flight to Halim Perdanakusuma Airport in Jakarta and is expected to arrive at 20.00 WIB," he said.

In addition, Bayu also emphasized that the team accompanying Captain Philip's departure consisted of the Head of Cartenz Peace Operations 2024, the Nanggala Task Force Team, the Papuan Police, Kogabwilhan III, and Pilot Afis, who is a colleague of Captain Philip.

They are responsible for ensuring safety during the trip and ensuring that this flight runs smoothly. "We ask for prayers from the entire community so that flights run smoothly and safely until Pilot Philip Mark Mehrtens and his entourage arrive in Jakarta," said Bayu.

Captain Philip Mark Mehrtens was successfully released from being held hostage by the Free Papua Organization (OPM) led by Egianus Kogoya after going through a long and complicated negotiation process. Bayu explained that the release was the result of a joint operation carried out by the Joint TNI-Polri Team and the Cartenz 2024 Damai Operations Task Force.

This negotiations finally paid off on Saturday 21 September), when the TNI-Polri Joint Team together with the Cartenz Peace Operations Task Force 2024 managed to pick up Captain Philip in Yuguru Village, Maibarok District, Nduga Regency, Papua Mountains. "This release is the result of a joint operation carried out by the TNI-Polri Joint Team and the Cartenz 2024 Peace Operations Task Force," he added.

Captain Philip, who is a citizen of New Zealand, was in good health when he was found and was declared worthy to be flown to Jakarta. "Pilot Philip is in good health and deserves to be flown to Jakarta," Bayu explained.

Captain Philip Mark Mehrtens was previously held hostage by the OPM group led by Egianus Kogoya since February 2023, after the Susi Air plane he was driving was forced to land in the Nduga region, Papua Mountains. His success in being released from this hostage marks the end of one of the most challenging release operations carried out by Indonesian authorities in the Papua region.