Jayapura- Deputy Chairman of Commission I DPR RI, Teuku Riefky Harsya, considered the elimination of Captain Philip Mark Mehrtens, a Susi Air pilot who was held hostage by the Armed Criminal Group (KKB), as an important achievement that made an international historical record that was successfully carried out by the Cartenz Peace Task Force Operation in the Region Papua.
According to him, this success shows the ability of the Indonesian security forces, especially the National Police, to properly handle cases of hostage-taking of foreign nationals in their sovereign territory.
“The international world will note that this country is able to resolve hostage-taking of foreign nationals in the territory of the Republic of Indonesia well and not with violence,” said Teuku Riefky.
Riefky emphasized that the successful release of the pilot from New Zealand was the result of the collaboration of many parties including the central government, regional government, local religious and traditional leaders, as well as assistance from TNI colleagues.
“Thank you for your patience and efforts which were not easy in the last year and a half, until finally this forgiveness mission was successful,” he concluded.
