Papua Police Chief Ensures Susi Air Pilot Is With KKB In Paro, Only Detailed Location Has Not Been Obtained

JAKARTA - Papua Police Chief Inspector General Mathius Fakhiri confirmed that the Susi Air pilot, a New Zealand national, Philip Mark Mehrtens, is currently with the Armed Criminal Group (KKB) led by Egianus Kogoya in Paro, Nduga Regency, Papua Mountains.

"It is true that the pilot was with the KKB group led by Egianus in Paro, Nduga Regency, Highlands Papua Province," said Inspector General Mathius Fakhiri in Jayapura, Tuesday, February 14, reported by Antara.

The Papua Police Chief, who claimed to be in Timika, explained that although he was able to confirm the location of the New Zealand pilot with the KKB led by Egianus Kogoya, he could not confirm where it was.

To ensure the condition and location where the pilot was, he said, he was still waiting for a report from community and religious leaders handed down by the acting Regent of Nduga to Paro.

He admitted that currently, his party was still waiting for information from the team sent by the acting Regent of Nduga to Paro

"Hopefully in the near future, there will be results. They are still on the road because to reach Paro they have to cross a river that is quite wide," he said.

According to him, in addition to sending a team, the Nduga Regency Government was also asked to carry out active communication by involving all parties, including people's representatives, to find out what caused Egianus to carry out his actions.

He emphasized that the TNI-Polri would not back down in their efforts to free the pilot, but that this was being done with extra caution for Philip's safety.

That's why at this time his party is prioritizing the role of local leaders and regional governments, said Mathius Faakhiri​​​​​.

On Tuesday (7/2), KKB led by Egianus Kogoya reportedly set fire to a Susi Air plane piloted by a New Zealand pilot, Philip Mark Mehrtens.