Susi Air Pilot Captain Phillip Mark Has Been Brought to Jakarta by Indonesian Air Force Aircraft

Susi Airsal pilot Phillip Mark Mehrtens while still being held hostage by the Papuan KKB. (Doc. Papuan KKB/OPM)

Susi Air PILOT Captain Philip Mark Mehrtens was taken to Jakarta using an Indonesian Air Force plane to Halim Perdanakusuma International Airport, Saturday, September 21, 2024. Philip was taken to Jakarta after being successfully freed from being held hostage by the Papuan KKB since February 2023.

“We immediately flew pilot Philip to Jakarta after completing a press conference at the Cartenz 2024 Peace Operation Post at Mako Brimob Battalion B/Timika,” said Commander of the Joint Defense Region III Command, Lieutenant General TNI Bambang Trisnohadi in his statement, in Jayapura.

He gave the highest appreciation to the TNI and Polri personnel who died in all efforts to free pilot Philip in Nduga Regency, Papua Mountains.

“We also appreciate all parties, both the Indonesian government, related ministries and the TNI-Polri who continue to strive to free pilot Philip who was detained by the Free Papua Movement (OPM) led by Egianus Kogoya for 1.5 years,” he said.

He explained that on Saturday (21/9) at 11.36 WIT he arrived at Yohanis Kapiyau Air Force Base, Timika from Yuguru Village and then a health check was carried out on Captain Philip Mark’s condition.

“The health of the pilot Philip is quite good, only his weight has decreased and psychologically he is good enough to be flown to Jakarta,” he said again.

Also read: Chief of Police Appreciates TNI-Polri’s Hard Work in Freeing Susi Air Pilot

Meanwhile, Head of Public Relations for the Cartenz 2024 Peaceful Operation, Senior Commissioner Bayu Suseno, said that pilot Philip was flown to Jakarta at 15.30 WIT.

“Before going to Jakarta, the plane will transit at Sultan Hasanuddin Airport, Makassar,” he said.

(ANT/Z-9)