
Pilot Philip Mark Mehrtens Released After 1.5 Years Hostage
21 September, 2024Share:
Pilot Philip Mark Mehrtens Released After 1.5 Years Hostage

For 1.5 years, Pilot Philip Mark Mehrtens was held hostage by the West Papuan Separatists led by Egianus Kogoya in the Nduga area. Various efforts have been made by the government of the Republic of Indonesia to free Pilot Philip. As explained by the Head of the Cartenz 2024 Peace Operations Brigadier General Dr. Faizal Ramadhani, the Cartenz 2024 Peace Operation Task Force has so far prioritized soft approach efforts rather than hard approaches.
“Yes, that’s right, we prioritize the approach through religious leaders, church leaders, traditional leaders and the close family of Egianus Kogoya. This approach is important to minimize casualties both from the apparatus, civil society and at the same time maintain the safety of the pilots themselves,” explained Faizal.
After a long time of approaching these various figures. Finally, it came to fruition, today Saturday (21/09/2024). The Susi Air pilot was successfully picked up by the Joint Team of the Indonesia Army and Police who are members of the 2024 Cartenz Peace Task Force.
Head of the Public Relations Task Force of Operation Peace Cartenz 2024 KBP Dr. Bayu Suseno explained that Pilot Philip was successfully released and picked up by a joint team located in Yuguru Village, Maibarok District, Nduga Regency and was immediately flown to the Mako Brimob Battalion B/Timika, Central Papua Province, West Papua, Indonesia.
“Yes, that’s right, today we managed to pick up Pilot Philip in good health. Our pilot flew from Nduga directly to Timika,” explained Bayu
Furthermore, Pilot Philip was immediately taken to a special room for medical mitigation as well as ensuring that Pilot Philip’s psychological condition was stable. After the mitigation activities, a press conference will be held at the 2024 Cartenz Peace Operation Post at the Mako Brimob Battalion B/Timika.
“After mitigation is carried out, it will be followed by a press conference. Please media colleagues can come to our post at Mako Brimob Battalion B/Timika to hear directly the contents of the press conference from the officials,” concluded Bayu.
Philip Mark Mehrtens is happy
Philip Mark Mehrtens admitted that he was happy to be able to meet his family again.
“I have finally come out,” said Philip when presented at a press conference at Yohanis Kapiyau Air Base, Timika, Mimika, West Papua.
“I’m very happy that I can now go home and (with) my family again,” Philip added.
This New Zealand citizen (WN) thanked all parties who helped with his release. He said he is currently in good health.
“Thank you to everyone who helped. With today, I can come out in the same condition and healthy. Thank you very much, everyone,” said Philip.
The press conference at Yohanis Kapiyau Timika Air Base lasted a short time. After that, Philip was flown to Halim Perdanakusuma Airport, Jakarta.
“In Timika at 15.30 WIT, we saw behind us that there was already a TNI AU aircraft and a group that would escort pilot Philip Mark Mehrtens to Jakarta,” said the Head of the Public Relations Task Force of the 2024 Cartenz Peace Operation, Kombes Bayu Suseno, in a video received by detikcom, Saturday (21/9).
The flight will be transited in Makassar, South Sulawesi (South Sulawesi), for aircraft refueling purposes. After that, the flight continued to Jakarta and is expected to arrive at around 20.00 WIB at Halim Perdanakusuma Airport.
In addition, Philip was also accompanied by his fellow Susi Air pilot, Captain Hafiz. He said that later the National Police Headquarters would follow up on Philip’s return to New Zealand.
The joint TNI-Polri Peace Cartenz Task Force released Captain Philip after about 1 year and 7 months of being held hostage by an armed criminal group (KKB) in Nduga, Papua. Captain Philip was immediately taken to Timika after being handed over to the Cartenz Peace Task Force.
Philip has undergone a medical examination. He also had time to contact his wife, Ria Lestari, via video call after being released by TNI-Polri personnel.
New Zealand Prime Minister Grateful
New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon expressed his gratitude for the release of Susi Air pilot, Philip Mark Mehrtens who was held hostage in Papua for almost 20 months.
Through a tweet on the X account@chrisluxonmp Wellinton appreciated the steps taken by Jakarta in the operation to free the pilot with New Zealand passport.
“I’m grateful Philip Merhtens has been released after more than 19 months in captivity. My appreciation to all those in Indonesia and New Zealand who have supported this positive outcome for Philip and his family,” said Luxon.