Timika – National Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo said the police actually had the authority to take action against the Armed Criminal Group (KKB) when they took Susi Air pilot Philip Mark Mehrtens hostage.
Sigit emphasized that the authority to take action is protected by law (UU).
“On the one hand, the National Police also of course has the authority to take action, and is protected by law. But of course we always pay attention to these stages,” said Sigit at the DPR Building, Senayan, Jakarta, Wednesday (25/9/2024).
Sigit explained that TNI and Polri officers chose a soft approach in freeing the Susi Air pilot. So, he said, the authorities used diplomacy and dialogue rather than taking action.
“Of course it will produce better final results,” he said.
Meanwhile, Sigit ensured that this humanist soft approach would continue to be prioritized by the authorities.
“In the future, of course we will continue to prioritize things that have a soft, humanist approach,” added Sigit.
Previously, Susi Air pilot, Philip Mark Merthens, was seen waving and smiling when presented at a press conference at Yohanis Kapiyau Air Base, Mimika Regency, Central Papua, Saturday (21/9/2024).
This moment was Philip’s first public appearance after being freed from being held hostage by the armed criminal group (KKB) led by Egianus Kogoya several hours earlier.
“Finally I’m out of the forest,” said the pilot from New Zealand.
