Timika- The police revealed that the threat to kill Susi Air pilot Philip Mark Methrtens was not from the armed criminal group (KKB) led by Egianus Kogoya, but Jefry Pagawak’s group. Jefri resides in the State of Papua New Guinea (PNG) and is on the wanted list (DPO) of the Cartenz Peace Ops Task Force.
“If the person concerned is under the surveillance of the National Police, law enforcement action will be taken. Meanwhile, the account that uploaded the ultimatum is a citivist, because a year ago he was arrested and only released a few months ago,” said Head of Operations for Peace Cartenz Kombes Faizal Ramadhani in a statement written quoted Thursday, July 6, 2023.
Faizal said the KKB in Papua consisted of various groups. The KKB group led by Jefry Pagawak uploaded an ultimatum threat to kill Pilot Susi Air on social media using an account in the name of NT.
“NT is a group from Intan Jaya,” he said.
Faizal said that it is possible for several KKB groups to gain momentum from the Susi Air Pilot hostage case. Thus, conveying the real news as a group cannot be trusted.
Faizal confirmed that the New Zealand national pilot was in good health, and hoped that his condition would be maintained. Papua Police Chief Inspector General Mathius D Fahiri and Commander of the XVII Cenderawasih Regional Military Command, Major General TNI Izak Pangemanan, are said to be continuing to negotiate with Egianus Kogoya, the KKB leader who took the pilot captive.
“Until now the negotiation process initiated by the Papuan Police Chief and the Military Commander together with stakeholders, both the Church and the local government, has indeed been underway but is still in a context that is still developing,” he said.
In addition, Faizal admitted that he had arrested one of the KKB spies led by Egianus Kogoya. The arrests were made in Kenyam, Nduga Regency.
“It is true that Ops Damai Cartenz has secured one of the spies from the KKB led by Egianus Kogoya and investigators are still investigating it,” said Faizal.
Previously, there were several conditions requested in the release of Susi Air pilots. Namely a ransom of IDR 5 billion, firearms, and Papuan independence. If this is not fulfilled by 1 July 2023, the Susi Air pilot will be shot dead.
