There Are TNI Members Escape, Become OPM Members

ILLUSTRATION / BETWEEN

JAKARTA - Head of Information for Kogabwilhan III Colonel CZI IGN Suriastawa confirmed that TNI soldiers had fled and joined the Free Papua Organization (OPM). This incident is said to have occurred several months ago.

Suriastawa said that the joining of a TNI soldier from Infantry Battalion 410 took place on February 12 and it has been widely reported. It's just that, OPM is considered to be taking advantage of this old issue again.

"Although this is true, the incident occurred on February 12, 2021. (This, red) is not a new incident and has been reported in the media," said Suriastawa in a written statement, Friday, April 16.

He explained that this soldier escaped from his monitoring post and did not carry a weapon. "Until now, its whereabouts are not clear," he said.

Suriastawa reminded the people of Papua, to be precise in Ilaga, to be more careful and aware of the acts of terror carried out by these OPMs. Moreover, he said, currently they are increasingly committing terror by killing civilians.

"This time KKB shot dead a high school student, Ali Mom (16 years) in Wuloni village, Ilaga district, Puncak regency and the incident on Thursday, yesterday," he said.

The joining of a TNI member who was assigned to the Bulapa post to the OPM was conveyed by OPM Spokesman Sebby Sambom. He claimed that the decision made by TNI members was because they could not stand the attitude of the TNI which often shot Papuan civilians.

"(Joined, red) since February 2021. Because he saw that TNI members like to shoot civilians, including priests," Sebby explained.

Sebby said, after joining, these armed forces officers immediately became OPM soldiers. The reason is, he has been trained because he had joined the TNI.

"Because he's trained," he said.