Jakarta, IndonesiaSentinel.com — Philip Mark Mehrtens, a New Zealand pilot for Susi Air, has safely landed in Jakarta after being held hostage for over a year and a half by the Egianus Kogoya group in Papua. Mehrtens arrived at Halim Perdanakusuma Airport on the evening of Saturday, September 21, 2024.
Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs, Hadi Tjahjanto, confirmed that upon arrival, Mehrtens was handed over to the New Zealand Embassy. Following this, the embassy assumes full responsibility for his care.
“The responsibility is now fully in the hands of the New Zealand Ambassador,” Hadi stated.
Captain Mehrtens was rescued by a joint TNI-Polri (Indonesian military and police) team in Yuguru Village, Maibarok District, Nduga Regency, Highland Papua. The key figure behind his release was Edison Gwijangge, a former acting regent of Nduga.
Gwijangge played a critical role in the rescue, repeatedly venturing alone into the jungle to negotiate with the Free Papua Movement (OPM). His solo communications with the group were pivotal in persuading them to release Mehrtens.
The government, along with TNI-Polri forces, employed a multi-faceted approach to secure the pilot’s release, enlisting the help of religious leaders, church figures, local tribal leaders, and Egianus Kogoya’s close relatives. The OPM eventually accepted the government’s proposal for Mehrtens’ release, and Edison Gwijangge personally retrieved the pilot from Yuguru, navigating the dense jungle on his own.
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Gwijangge, who was appointed as the negotiator by the former Indonesian Armed Forces Commander Admiral Yudo Margono, has an extensive background in local governance and humanitarian work. He previously served as the head of the Indonesian Red Cross (PMI) in Nduga and held the position of Assistant III in the Papua Highlands Provincial Secretariat.
This marks the successful end of an arduous 19-month ordeal for Philip Mark Mehrtens, who is now in safe hands.
(Ray)
