TNI Commander Denies Susi Air's Pilot Hostage: He Managed To Save Himself

Photo: BPMI Setpres/Laily Rachev

JAKARTA - The TNI Commander, Admiral Yudo Margono, denied that the Susi Air pilot was being taken hostage by the Armed Criminal Group (KKB).

According to him, the pilot with the identity of Captain Philips M could save or escape from the Papuan separatist group.

"It's not a hostage-taking, he's saving himself," Yudo told reporters, Wednesday, February 8.

Then, Yudo said that his party was preparing troops to evacuate the pilot. Including, dozens of public health center officers who had become targets of terror.

"Yes, we will later with our troops to evacuate," he said.

"Yes, only 15 people and 4 of the passengers were evacuated, taken out of there," continued Yudo.

The KKB led by Egianus Kogoya is strongly suspected of being the perpetrator of the burning of the Susi Air plane of the Pilatus Porter type at the Paro airport, Nduga, Central Papua on Tuesday 7 February morning.

Apart from that, they were also reported to have taken Captain Philips M as a Susi Air pilot hostage. Apart from that, the separatist group is said to have detained 15 public health center workers.