Jakarta, September 24, 2024– Head of Cartenz Peace Operations-2024, Brigadier General Faizal Ramadhani, received appreciation from the New Zealand Police for their success in the efforts to free pilot Philip Mark Mehrtens.
The award was officially presented by the New Zealand Police Attaché which took place at the Fairmont Hotel Jakarta on Tuesday, September 24, 2024.
Pilot Philip Mark Mehrtens was successfully freed after 1.5 years of being held hostage by the Papuan Armed Criminal Group (KKB) led by Egianus Kogoya in Nduga Regency, Papua Mountains. Pilot Philip Mark Mehrtens had been a hostage since February 7, 2023, and was finally released on Saturday, September 21, 2024, in Yuguru Village, Maibarok District, Nduga Regency.
This success was achieved through a soft approach implemented by the Cartenz-2024 Peace Task Force together with the TNI-Polri joint team.
On that occasion, Brigadier General Faizal Ramadhani said that this approach was chosen because the Papuan people highly uphold the values of customs and kinship. This is the key in the release process, where kinship relations in the KKB are identified first.
“A soft approach is important to minimize casualties, both from the authorities, civilians, and to maintain the safety of Pilot Philip Mark Mehrtens,” said Brigadier General Faizal.
The New Zealand Police Liaison Officer for Indonesia, Senior Inspector Paul Borrell, expressed his gratitude for the various efforts made by the Indonesian Government, especially through the Cartenz-2024 Peace Operation Task Force and the TNI-Polri Joint Team, which played an important role in the successful repatriation of pilot Philip Mark Mehrtens to his family.
“We express our appreciation and gratitude to the Government of Indonesia, including through the Cartenz-2024 Peace Operation Task Force and the Joint TNI-Polri, who succeeded in returning Pilot Philip Mark Mehrtens safely to his family,” said Senior Inspector Paul Borrell.
Meanwhile, Head of Public Relations for the Cartenz-2024 Peace Operation, Senior Commissioner Bayu Suseno, added that this appreciation from the New Zealand Police is proof of the success of the Cartenz-2024 Peace Operation in handling the crisis situation with satisfactory results.
“Of course this appreciation is a success of the Cartenz-2024 Peace Operation which succeeded in safely freeing Pilot Philip Mark Mehrtens,” concluded Senior Commissioner Bayu Suseno.
The Cartenz-2024 Peace Operation continues to demonstrate its role in maintaining security stability in Papua, while still prioritizing a humanist approach to maintain the security of the people of Papua.
