Ade Ridwan Yandwiputra, Jakarta – Two civilians were killed in Elelim District, Yalimo, Papua Mountains, Wednesday, January 8, 2025. Both were immigrants from South Sulawesi who were working in Bumi Cendrawasih.
Spokesperson for the West Papua National Liberation Army of the Free Papua Organization (TPNPB-OPM), Sebby Sambom claimed that the murder was carried out by a former member of the National Police named Askem Mabel with the last rank of Bripda. Sebby said that Askem worked for the TPNPB-OPM version of Jeffrey Pagawak Boamanak.
"In this case, we convey to all parties that those responsible are Jeffrey Pagawak Bomanak and the Indonesian Police," said Sebby in his official statement, Thursday, January 9, 2025.
The OPM does not recognize Jeffrey Pagawak as a fighter in the liberation operation. He is claimed to have acted alone because he had embezzled Rp1.9 billion under the pretext of purchasing weapons, but until now the weapons have not been found.
Sebby said that Jeffrey Pagawak and Askem Mabel had carried out a series of murders in Papua in the name of OPM. The murder of two civilians from Toraja was said to be the sixth incident.
"This is the sixth action in the Yalimo Regency area, all carried out by Askem Mabel on the orders of Jeffrey Pagawak Bomanak," said Sebby.
Askem Mabel is a former member of the National Police who served at the Yalimo Police. On Sunday, June 9, 2024, the non-commissioned officer fled from his duty carrying four long-barreled weapons.
After disappearing, Bripda Askem Mabel stated that he had joined the OPM and used the four weapons he stole to betray the country.