PBD Police Deploys 30 Brimob Personnel to Hunt 7 DPOs for the Murder of 2 Marines in Maybrat

Acting Head of Public Relations of the West Papua Barat Daya Police, Kompol Jenny Hengkelare. ANTARA/HO-Public Relations of the West Papua Barat Daya Police

JAKARTA - The South West Papua Regional Police has deployed 30 Brimob personnel to hunt down seven people who are registered for search for people (DPO) for allegedly being involved in the murder of two Marine Corps members in Maybrat Regency.

Acting Head of Public Relations of the West Papua Police, Commissioner of Police Jenny Hengkelare, said the operation involved Brimob personnel assisted by the Cartenz Peace Task Force and support from the Maybrat Police.

"Brimob members were assisted by the Cartenz Peace Task Force and additional members from the Maybrat Police are currently conducting operations at the scene," he said, quoted by ANTARA, Friday, April 24.

Jenny explained that the operation was part of the commitment of the National Police in uncovering the murder of two Marine soldiers at the Tinjau Kampung Sorry Checkpost, South Aifat District, Maybrat Regency, on Sunday, March 22, 2026, at around 07.00 WIT.

According to him, this step is also aimed at maintaining and optimizing the security and public order situation (kamtibmas) in Maybrat Regency.

Based on the results of the investigation and the title of the case on April 15, 2026, investigators have named seven suspects in the murder case, who are now DPO status, with initials MF, ZA, DA, AF, MF, YKY, and MF.

The suspects were charged with Article 459 of the Criminal Code regarding premeditated murder, sub-article 458 of the Criminal Code regarding murder, and Article 479 paragraph (4) of the Criminal Code regarding violence resulting in death.

"They are threatened with the death penalty or life imprisonment," he said.

Jenny emphasized that her party would continue to pursue the perpetrators to hold them accountable for their actions in accordance with applicable laws.

The murder of two Marine soldiers began when five members of the Yon 9 Marine's Gobang VII Task Force moved from the main post to the observation post, which was about 150 meters away.

When the two soldiers were about 30 meters from the post, suddenly there was a gunshot from the top of the observation post which immediately hit both of them, then followed by a series of follow-up shots.

"The other three members had resisted before finally retreating to seek protection," said Jenny.

As a result of the incident, two Marine soldiers were reported dead, while another soldier was shot in the hand.

In addition to the victims, the perpetrator is also suspected of seizing two firearms belonging to the victim.

Based on the results of the autopsy from Sorong RSAL, both victims were declared dead, while another victim suffered serious injuries.

"In the investigation process, the police have examined eight witnesses consisting of TNI elements, the community, and forensic experts," he explained.

Jenny said that from the testimony of the witnesses, the perpetrator who was seen in the photos and videos circulating on social media was the same person as the one at the scene.

"The results of digital forensic analysis of video evidence also confirm that the recording is authentic and has not been manipulated so that it is considered valid for the purposes of investigation," he said.

In addition, the police also seized a number of evidence in the form of two body vests, two combat helmets, a flash disk containing video recordings of shootings, a machete, and a hat.