Indonesia Stops Military Operations To Rescue NZ Pilot
"We have received reliable intel from our source in the rebel's community that they have been ordered to shoot Mr Mehrterns and blame the Indonesian military if we carry out a military rescue operation," said Mr Margono.
Tuesday 11 April 2023 | 16:15
The Indonesian Defense Forces (TNI) Commander Admiral Yudo Margono confirms that he has suspended all military operations to rescue the abducted pilot and will instead use a peaceful approach.
Philip Mehrterns was abducted by separatist fighters from the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNB), an armed wing of the Free Papua Movement.
"We have received reliable intel from our source in the rebel's community that they have been ordered to shoot Mr Mehrterns and blame the Indonesian military if we carry out a military rescue operation," said Mr Margono.
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As a result, Mr Margono chose to stick to a peaceful approach through persuasion and patience to prevent risks of civilian casualties that could be politicised by the rebels.
"We can conduct military operation as we have professional soldiers who are capable of doing that.
However, this may cause casualties among the civilians. A military operation may also provide benefit to the abductors because if anything happens to Mr Mehrterns, they will put the blame on the Indonesian military.
Our target is that he is released safely with no harm to our community."
"We are ready to rescue but I will continue to persuade the rebels through peaceful means with the help of religious and community leaders and the local government," he said.
Mr Margono says that Mr Mehrterns is in a remote area which is not easily accessible.
"The rebels took days to travel to that place. We can't use land vehicles in that area, so it is not an easy place to access," he added.
About the Pilot
Philip Mehrterns is a pilot from Christchurch, New Zealand and works for an Indonesian aviation company called Susi Air.
On 7 February 2023, the separatist fighters from the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNB) attacked his plane when he landed at the Paro Airport in the Nduga Regency of Papua.
The plane was carrying 5 passengers from Timika, a mining town in the neighboring Mimika District.
Mehrterns was scheduled to pick up 15 construction workers who were building a health center in Paro.
According to Sebby Sambom, Spokesperson of TPNB, the 5 passengers were released because they are Indigenous Papuans.
Source: Monica Aguilar
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