Papua Police Chief, Inspector General of Police Mathius Fakhiri says that to free the New Zealand pilot from the Armed Criminal Group requires a thorough process, Wednesday (3/15).
“It is not easy to free the hostage from the hands of KKB because if we are not consider it thoroughly, there could be casualties,” says Fakhiri in Jayapura last Tuesday.
He says it needs careful planning in freeing the hostage so that all could goes well without any casualties.
Currently, the search still continues in several regencies that connects to each other due to how wide the area of search and the geographical conditions that requires a thorough search.
“Well indeed several efforts have already been conducted, but considering that he hostage often moved to several locations, it makes the search much more difficult,” he adds.
The search was being conducted around Nduga regency, Lanny Jaya, Jayawijaya and Yahukimo because those locations are connected to each other.
“What’s true, the military and the police are still continuing their effort in freeing the hostage, which is a pilot of Susi Air, safely,” said Fakhiri.
The pilot, Philip Mark Mahrtens, was held hostage since February 7th after landing a plane in Paro airstrip, Nduga Regency, Papua Mountains Province.
Egianus Kogoya and his group claimed as the one who burns the plane owned by Susi Air and took the pilot with them.
Papua Police previously have added Egianus Kogoya in Wanted list due to his brutal actions in Papua.