The Position of the Susi Air Pilot Who was Held Hostage by the Armed Criminal Group Has Not Been Traced

Susi Air Pilot Philip Mark Merthens, who is currently being held hostage by the KKB led by Egianus Kogoya in Nduga Regency, Papua Province, Mountains. (PHOTO VIA ANTARA)

JAYAPURA - Commander of the Cartenz Peace Task Force Kombes Faizal Rahmadani acknowledged that the position of Susi Air pilot, New Zealand citizen Philip Mark Mahrtens, could not be ascertained.

The KKB took the hostages around and it was suspected that they were not with Egianus Kogoya. Currently, the Carstensz Dam Peace Task Force is still conducting an indefinite search.

"There is no time limit for releasing the hostages because everything must be done in order to minimize casualties, both in the community and in the security forces," said Commissioner (Kombes) Faizal, reported by ANTARA, Thursday, March 9.

It is confirmed that the search for pilot Philip is still being carried out and expanded to include being carried out in Lanny Jaya Regency.

As previously reported, Indonesian National Army (TNI) Commander Admiral TNI Yudo Margono said his party refused an offer of assistance from New Zealand, in relation to the search for the Susi Air pilot who was held hostage by the armed criminal group (KKB) led by Egianus Kogoya.

"They offered to help, but I can still finish it," he said at the TNI Headquarters, Jakarta, reported by ANTARA, Wednesday, March 8.

This was conveyed by Yudo, regarding his meeting with New Zealand Ambassador to Indonesia Kevin Jeffrey Burnet at TNI Headquarters Cilangkap, Jakarta, Friday (3/3).

The meeting, he said, was in the context of strengthening bilateral relations between the two countries.

Yudo revealed that the Ambassador of New Zealand had submitted all search and rescue processes for his citizens to the Indonesian government. "He hopes the pilot is safe," he said.

Regarding the offer of assistance, Yudo said he had explained to the Ambassador of New Zealand that the Indonesian government, especially the TNI and Polri, were continuing their efforts to conduct a search.