Jakarta– Pilot Philip Mark Mehrtens was successfully released after being held hostage for 1.5 years by the Papuan Armed Criminal Group (KKB) led by Egianus Kogoya in Nduga Regency, Mountainous Papua.
This release was carried out by the joint TNI-Polri Cartenz-2024 Peace Ops Task Force on Saturday, September 21 2024, in Yuguru Village, Maibarok District, Nduga Regency.
Responding to this success, Captain Rama Noya, President of the Indonesian Pilots Association, expressed his highest appreciation to the Cartenz-2024 Peace Ops Task Force.
In his statement, he praised the hard work and wise and careful approach carried out by the combined TNI-Polri personnel in the Cartenz-2024 Peace Ops operation.
“The efforts of the Cartenz-2024 Peace Ops Task Force not only show hard work, but also a wise and careful approach, so that the safety of all parties involved is maintained throughout the efforts to free Pilot Philip Mark Mehrtens,” said Captain Rama Noya.
Pilot Philip Mark Mehrtens has been a hostage since February 7, 2023, and this release marks the end of a long effort to rescue the New Zealand pilot.
This success is also considered an important victory in efforts to maintain stability and security in the Papua region.
