Susi Air Pilot Release Strategy From KKB Hand: Officials Do This To Save Captain Philip

Captain Philip Mark Mehrtens after being released from KKB. (Ist)

YOGYAKARTA In this article, Susi Air's pilot release strategy will be discussed from the hands of the Armed Criminal Group (KKB) in Papua.

It is known, on Saturday, September 21, 2024, pilot Susi Air, Philip Mark Mehrtens was successfully released after 19 months of being held hostage by the KKB led by Egianus Kagoya.

This release was carried out by the Joint TNI-Polri Team who are members of the Cartenz 2024 Peace Task Force. The pilot from New Zealand managed to get out of the KKB's grip in good health.

The image received by VOI editor shows Captain Philip's smile while in a place escorted by the authorities. In the video, Captain Philip's condition looks unharmed and is enjoying a can of mineral water.

There is an interesting story behind Captain Philip's release from the hands of the KKB in Papua. The Cartenz Peace Task Force chose a soft approach or soft approach as the main strategy for 19 months of negotiations.

This effort was carried out without repressive action, according to President Joko Widodo's orders, for Philip's safety.

"This release is the result of the patience of the Indonesian government without taking repressive actions," said Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs, Hadi Tjahjanto at a press conference at Halim Perdanakusuma Airport, Jakarta, Saturday, September 21, 2024.

Hadi said Captain Philip's safety was a top priority in this operation. In addition, this non-militaryistic strategy also ensures that negotiations run safely without threats to hostages.

"The safety of the pilot is the main priority of the Indonesian government," said Hadi.

He added that Susi Air's pilot release strategy involved many parties, ranging from traditional leaders, religious leaders, to local communities.

Hadi said that their involvement had a major influence in reaching an agreement with the KKB in Papua.

"The involvement of traditional leaders, community leaders, and churches all greatly affects this release process," explained Hadi.

Meanwhile, the Head of the Cartenz Peace Operations for 2024, Brigadier General Faizal Ramdhani, said that the 2024 Cartenz Peace Operations Task Force had prioritized soft approaches rather than hard approaches.

"We prioritize an approach through religious leaders, church leaders, traditional leaders and close family members of Egianus Kogoya. This approach is important to reduce the loss of life from exposure, civil society and at the same time protect the safety of the pilot himself," said Faizal, directed from Antara.

After 1 year and 7 months of approaching these various figures, Captain Philip's release efforts paid off. On Saturday, September 21, 2024, the Susi Air pilot was successfully picked up by the Joint TNI-Polri Team who was part of the Cartenz 2024 Operations Task Force.

Previously, Head of the 2024 Cartens Peace Operations Public Relations Task Force AKBP Bayu Suseno said that Philip Mark Mehrtens was successfully released and picked up by a joint team located in Yuguru Village, Maibarok District, Nduga Regency. Next, the Susi Air pilot was immediately flown to the Mako Brimob Battalion B/Timika.

"We managed to pick up pilot Philip in good health, then he was flown from Nduga to Timika," said Bayu on Saturday, September 21, 2024.

He added that Pilot Philip was then taken to a special room for medical mitigation while at the same time ensuring his psychological condition.

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