Susi Air Pilot Phillip Mark Mehrtens expressed his appreciation to all those who had helped him return home after being held hostage by the OPM military group for 18 months.
“I am very happy to be able to return home. Once again, thank you to everyone who for their assistance,” Mehrtens said during a press conference with joint TNI-Polri officers on Saturday (21/09).
He also stated that he was in a “safe and healthy condition”.
“Today, I came out safe and sound. Thank you everyone,” he said to applause.
In a recent statement, President Joko Widodo also spoke about the pilot’s release.
The President claimed the release of Captain Mehrtens who was held hostage by the OPM group was after a ‘very long negotiation process’.
“And our patience not to be repressive,” the head of state said at a press conference in Jakarta, Saturday (21/09).
The long negotiations and the government’s efforts not to take repressive measures were aimed at ensuring the safety of the Susi Air pilot, Mr Widodo said.
“What we prioritise is the safety of the pilots who are being held hostage. So, the long process that has been carried out by the TNI and Polri I think is a very good one, I really appreciate it,” the President said as quoted from Antara.
After being picked up from Yuguru Village, Maiborok District, Nduga Regency, Pilot Phillip underwent a medical examination in Timika. He has reportedly flown to Jakarta.
Release process
New Zealand pilot Phillip Mark Mehrtens has finally been released after 1.5 years in the custody of the military wing of the Free Papua Organisation (OPM) led by Egianus Kogoya.
BBC News Indonesia received photographs of Phillip with Indonesian security officials in Papua. Phillip looks thin, haggard, with a bushy beard.
According to information from Indonesian authorities, Phillip was released on Saturday (21/09) through a joint TNI-Polri team that is part of the Cartenz 2024 Peace Task Force.
Head of the Cartenz 2024 Peace Operation Public Relations Task Force AKBP Bayu Suseno explained that Pilot Phillip was successfully released and picked up by the joint team in Kampung Yuguru, Maibarok District, Nduga Regency and immediately flown to Brimob B Battalion B / Timika base.
‘Yes, that’s right, today we managed to pick up Pilot Phillip in good health. We flew the pilot from Nduga directly to Timika,’ Bayu explained in a written statement.
Furthermore, said Bayu, Mehrtens was immediately taken to a special room to carry out medical treatment while ensuring his psychological condition was stable.
Damai Cartenz 2024 Commander Brigadier General Pol Faizal Ramadhani claims that so far, his party has used a soft approach in efforts to free Pilot Phillip.
“We prioritise approaches through religious leaders, church leaders, traditional leaders and close relatives of Egianus Kogoya. This approach is important to minimise casualties both from the authorities, civilians and at the same time maintain the safety of the pilot himself,” explained Faizal.
In a separate statement, the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) previously promised to release Philip Mehrtens ‘”safely and in accordance with international standards for the protection of human rights”.
“We, the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB), remain committed to upholding the values of peace, respect and dignity in this situation,” TPNPB-OPM spokesperson Sebby Sambom said in a written statement.
When contacted about Captain Phillip’s release, Sebby said he did not want to comment.
“We have no comment, because we usually have to have an official statement from each defence command,” TPNBP-OPM spokesman Sebby Sambom said when contacted by BBC News Indonesia.
TPNPB, the military wing of the Free Papua Movement (OPM), had announced plans to release Mehrtens on 17 September.
At that time, a TPNPB spokesperson emphasised that it took the initiative to release Mehrtens “for the sake of humanity”. not because of the efforts of the Indonesian government.
Reactions from New Zealand Authorities
BBC News Indonesia has contacted the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to obtain more detailed information regarding the release of Phillip Mehrtens.
However, New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters has not been willing to accept press interviews. He asked the mass media to quote his written statement.
In a statement quoted from media in New Zealand, Winston Peters, expressed his happiness that Mehrtens was now safe.
“We are pleased and relieved to confirm that Phillip Mehrtens is safe and well and has been able to speak to his family. This news must come as a huge relief to his friends and loved ones,” Peters said, as quoted by Stuff.
According to Peters, various New Zealand government agencies have been working with Indonesian authorities to secure Mehrtens’ release.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, with staff in Indonesia and Wellington, has led a sustained government-wide effort to secure Phillip Mehrtens ‘release, and has also supported his family,” Peters said.
“This case has weighed heavily on the Mehrtens family, who have requested privacy. We ask the media to respect their wishes and therefore we will not provide any further comment at this stage.”
Susi Air founder Susi Pudjiastuti on her personal X account expressed appreciation to all parties involved in the release of Pilot Phillip.
“Alhamdulillah hirabbil Alamiin. Received news that Captain Pilot Phillip Mehrtens has returned, already in Timika,” Susi said on Saturday (21/09).
Susi then thanked President Joko Widodo and president-elect Prabowo Subianto. Not only that, she also thanked the TNI-Polri, members of the Cartenz Peace Task Force, who took part in the effort to free Captain Mehrtens.
“And all those who have helped the return of our pilot,” said Susi.
West Papua Now 