TNI Commander Calls Soft Approach The Key To Release Of Susi Air Pilots

TNI Commander General Agus Subiyanto gave a statement to reporters on the sidelines of the 79th TNI Anniversary activity at Monas, Jakarta, Central, Sunday (22/9/2024). (ANTARA/Fianda Sjofjan Rassat)

TNI Commander General Agus Subiyanto revealed that there was a long process of soft approach involving many parties behind the release of Susi Air Pilot Captain Philip Mark Mehrtens.

"My vision and mission is to free the hostages with a soft approach, we have been negotiating for a long time, then involving all elements of society including the TNI and Polri, then the Forkopimda in the area, religious leaders, community leaders, youth leaders and thank God yesterday morning (Philip Mark Mehrtens) can be handed over to us," Agus said on the sidelines of the 79th TNI Anniversary activities at Monas, Central Jakarta, Sunday.

Agus also said that currently Philip Mehrtens had been handed over to the New Zealand Government and was received directly by New Zealand's ambassador to Indonesia.

"Last night I and the National Police Chief with the Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs, on behalf of the government, handed over to the New Zealand (New Zealand) government, received by the New Zealand ambassador in Indonesia," he said, quoted by Antara.

Furthermore, Agus also said that his party would give appreciation to all personnel involved in the release process.

"Yes, we will give appreciation. All soldiers who excel we reward, and those who violate us give punishment. Those are my vision and mission," he said.

Susi Air Pilot Philip Mark Mehrtens is a New Zealand pilot who has been held hostage by the Armed Criminal Group (KKB) led by Egianus Kogoya since February 7, 2023.

The Cartenz Peace Operations Task Force 2024 then took an approach through religious leaders, churches, customs, and close families of Egianus Kogoya, which finally paid off.

Philip on Saturday was successfully picked up by the Joint TNI-Polri Team who are members of the Cartenz Peace Operations Task Force team in Yuguru Village, Maibarok District, Nduga Regency.

Then, the Task Force flew Mehrtens to Timika for a health check process. After being declared healthy, Mehrtens was flown from Timika to Jakarta by plane belonging to the Indonesian Air Force.

The Indonesian Air Force pilot, Susi Air, Philip Mark Mehrtens, arrived at Halim Perdanakusuma Air Base, Jakarta, on Saturday at 22:26 WIB.