Mimika – The search for Pilot Susi Air, Philip Mark Mahrtens who was taken hostage by the Armed Criminal Group (KKB Papua) led by Egianus Kogoya on (7/2/2023) in Paro District, Nduga Regency, Papua Mountains Province was carried out by a joint apparatus from elements of the TNI and Polri.
For nearly two months, joint officers have been conducting searches by combing a number of areas suspected of being the location of the foreign pilot being taken hostage.
The deputy head of the Papua regional police (Wakapolda), Brigadier General Ramdani Hidayat, said that until now his staff was still conducting a search by optimizing the existing troops.
“The search process is still ongoing. If there is no addition of troops, because we are maximizing the available personnel,” he said when met in Timika.
He further said, regarding the addition of personnel and alustista for rescue pilots there is not yet because according to him the current capabilities of the TNI-Polri are sufficient.
“We still ask for the support of all elements of society and also for sure the pilot’s family is waiting for the TNI-Polri’s rescue efforts in Nduga,” he continued.
He said that negotiation efforts by the Nduga local government were also continuing until now in collaboration with the TNI-Polri followed by other steps being pursued.
“Development is still being carried out because we do not yet know what the pilot’s condition is like, but we hope the pilot will remain healthy. The point is that the pilot must be safe,” he concluded.
He again confirmed that currently the situation in Paro and Nduga Districts is currently under control.
