Andi Adam Faturahman, Jakarta – The headquarters of the West Papua National Liberation Army-Free Papua Movement (TPNPB-OPM) said the involvement of former acting regent of Nduga, Edison Gwijangge, in the operation to free Susi Air pilot Philip Mark Mehrtens was full of political interests ahead of the 2024 regional election.
TPNPB-OPM spokesperson, Sebby Sambom, said Edison's presence actually had no significant impact on the operation to free Mehrtens because the TPNPB-OPM already had the intention and plan to free the New Zealander pilot in September.
"We have announced the proposal and Egianus agreed to it. So all that was left was to free the hostage pilot," Sebby said in a brief voice message on Tuesday, September 24, 2024.
The TPNPB headquarters also accused the TNI-Polri of bribery practices through Edison Gwijangge during this rescue operation. Sebby alleged that Egianus Kogoya, the TPNPB commander of Ndugama-Derakma III Regional Defense Command, committed treason against the headquarters by expediting the pilot's release without coordination.
According to Sebby, on September 11, TPNPB Headquarters issued a proposed release, which included asking the United Nations and international human rights activists, as well as Indonesia, to become mediators.
"But Egianus betrayed us, he surrendered to the TNI-Polri by handing over the pilot to Edison," Sebby said.
The former acting regent of Nduga, Edison Gwijangge, declined to comment on the TPNPB's accusations that his role was full of political interests ahead of the regional elections.
When Tempo met him at the Kartika Chandra complex in Jakarta, Edison said he wanted to rest first after meeting with Home Minister Tito Karnavian on Monday night, September 23.
Meanwhile, the Nduga women's representative, Raga Kogoya, denied receiving money from Egianus to free Philip. She said the TPNPB militia in Nduga did not fight for money.
" As far as we know, there was no gift from the regent (Edison Gwijangge)," Raga said.
Brig. Gen. Faizal Ramadhan, head of operations for the Cartenz Peace Task Force, also denied allegations that Edison had received money and political favors in the operation to free Philip.
"The allegations have no evidence to back them up," Faizal said.
Philip was taken hostage by the TPNPB militia after a Susi Air plane registered as PK-BVY landed at Paro airport in Nduga on February 7, 2023. At the time, the TPNPB wanted to exchange Philip's release for recognition of Papuan independence by Wellington and Jakarta.
After nearly twenty months as a hostage, Philip is now back with his family. He was flown from Nduga to the headquarters of the Mobile Brigade Police Corps, Battalion B/Timika, for medical and psychological evaluation before being flown to Halim Perdana Kusuma Air Base in Jakarta on the evening of September 21.