Timika- Kombes Bayu Suseno, Head of Public Relations Task Force for Peaceful Operation Cartenz-2024, is one of the key figures behind the release of Pilot Philip Mark Mehrtens, Susi Air pilot, who was held hostage for 19 months by the Armed Criminal Group (KKB) led by Egianus Kogoya.
Pilot Philip Mark Mehrtens has been held hostage since February 7, 2023 after his plane landed in Paro District, Nduga Regency, Papua Pegunungan.
Kombes Bayu explained that Philip was successfully released in an operation carried out by the joint TNI-Polri team of the Cartenz-2024 Peaceful Task Force in Yuguru Village, Maibarok District, Nduga Regency. Philip was then flown directly to Timika to receive medical treatment and an examination of his psychological condition.
“Yes, that’s right, today we managed to pick up Pilot Philip in good health. Our pilot was flown from Nduga directly to Timika,” said Bayu.
Previously, the public was shocked by the KKB’s statement that they planned to free Pilot Philip Mark Mehrtens. The proposal was submitted by KKB spokesperson, Sebby Sambom, and the leader of KKB Nduga, Egianus Kogoya, on September 17, 2024. In the proposal, they appointed a facilitator to mediate the release of the New Zealand pilot.
Responding to the proposal, Senior Commissioner Bayu Suseno said that his party was still studying its contents to ensure the seriousness of the effort.
“We must ensure that this proposal is truly aimed at freeing the pilot, because KKB often makes similar propaganda that is not realized,” he explained in a written statement on September 19, 2024.
Bayu also expressed his hope that the process of freeing Pilot Philip Mark Mehrtens could run safely and smoothly, and asked for prayer support from the Papuan people.
“We ask for the support of prayers from the community so that this effort can be carried out without any obstacles or denials from the hostage takers,” he concluded.
The figure of Kombes Bayu Suseno
Kombes Bayu Suseno is known as a police officer with a brilliant career. He served as the Bengkayang Police Chief in 2022 and previously led the Danyon B Satbrimob Polda Kalimantan Barat.
Kombes Bayu Suseno is also known for his approach in handling the conflict in Papua, by introducing the term Armed Criminal Group (KKB) to describe armed groups in the region.
Kombes Bayu Suseno graduated from SMA Taruna Nusantara and the Police Academy (Akpol) in 1998. In addition, he has a background in legal education from Satria University Makassar and a Masters degree in Human Resource Management from Semarang University. He also took postgraduate education in security and policing.
Kombes Bayu is not only experienced in the field, but has also had a career as a security consultant and lecturer in the field of certain crimes at STIK-PTIK.
With the important role he played in the Cartenz Peace Operation, the name of Kombes Bayu Suseno is increasingly known as one of the important figures in maintaining security and order in Papua.
