The efforts to release Susi Air pilot, Captain Philip Mark Mehrtens from New Zealand, cannot be separated from the work of the negotiator team lobbying the Papuan Separatists. Thanks to the negotiator’s expertise, the New Zealand pilot was safely released on Saturday (21/9).

The negotiator team consisted of three people. They were Edison Gwijangge, Yospian Wandikbo, and Erlina Gwijangge.

See also: Pilot Philip Mark Mehrtens Released After 1.5 Years Hostage

Edison Gwijangge became the key to saving Captain Philips Mehrtens after being appointed by the Indonesian Army Commander at that time, Admiral Yudo Margono. The following is a brief profile of Edison Gwijangge, one of the negotiators for the release of Captain Philips Mehrtens.

Edison Gwijangge’s Profile

Edison Gwijangge is an Indonesian bureaucrat born on May 13, 1964, aged 60, in Nduga, West Irian, now the Papua Mountains Province, Indonesia.

He was inaugurated as the Acting Regent of Nduga, Papua Pegunungan Province, West Papua, Indonesia, on June 5, 2023, replacing Namia Gwijangge. Edison served until May 31, 2024 before being replaced by Elai Giban.

Before becoming the Acting Regent of Nduga, Edison had served as the chairman of the Indonesian Red Cross of Nduga Regency. He also served as Assistant III to the Regional Secretary or Regional Secretary of Papua Pegunungan Province.

Edison’s devotion and dedication during his time as the Acting Regent of Nduga was appreciated by the Central Government and the Papua Pegunungan Provincial Government. Velix Wanggai, as the Acting Governor of Papua Pegunungan, said that during his leadership of Nduga Regency, Edison had carried out his duties well.

Edison was said to be patient and persistent in taking a soft approach to communicating with the Papuan Separatists in order to free Philip. In fact, thanks to Edison, Philip, who had respiratory problems, was able to get medicine thanks to intense communication with Philip’s wife.

Edison Gwijangge’s role in the release of Susi Air pilots from hostage by Papuan separatists

Edison Gwijangge is a native son of Papua Pegunugan Province who turns out to have family ties with the leader of the Papuan separatists in Nduga, Egianus Kogoya. Therefore, since serving as the Acting Regent of Nduga, Edison was assigned as a negotiator to release Susi Air Pilot Philip Mark Mehrtens.

See also: Profile of Egianus Kogoya the Brains Behind New Zealand Pilot As a Hostage

During the release effort, Edison often went in and out of the forest to conduct dialogue in the hope that the Papuan separatists in Nduga would be willing to release Philip. During the release process, he even often received threats and attacks from members of the Papuan separatists in Nduga.

The threats and attacks were allegedly carried out against Edison on the orders of Egianus Kogoya. Bayu even said that Edison Gwijangge almost lost his life because the helicopter he was on was shot at by Papuan separatists.