Tribratanews.polri.go.id – Kenyam. In the latest development in ongoing hostage situation of Susi Air pilot Philips Mehrtens, the Indonesian Military and Indonesian National Police (INP) have successfully gained control of the Nduga Regency and closely guarded the routes used by the Armed Criminal Group (KKB) led by Egianus Kogoya.
Police Superintendent Rio Alexander Panelewen, the Chief of Nduga Sub-Regional Police, confirmed that the situation in Nduga is relatively stable and the search for the pilot is ongoing.
“While we have taken control of Nduga, negotiation remains our priority. The decision to surrender and return the pilot to us rests with Egianus and his group,” he said on Tuesday (21/2/23).
The presence of the Indonesian Military and INP and their efforts to limit the movements of the KKB serves as a symbol of the state’s commitment to protecting the community from the group’s disturbances and their determination to rescue the pilot, he emphasized.
(ay/af/pr/um)
