In a video, the kidnapped pilot said he has had “no problems” while living with his abductors but has lately been worried about military attacks launched by the Indonesian army.
In the video sent to media by the spokesperson of the West Papua Liberation Army, the armed wing of the Free Papua Movement, known as OPM, a man in handcuffs and a black shirt is identified as Philip Mark Mehrtens of Christchurch, a pilot for Indonesian aviation company Susi Air who was abducted by the group’s independence fighters.
He said he has had “no problems” while living with his abductors, but lately he has been worried about military attacks launched by the Indonesian army following a deadly ambush by the rebels on April 15 that killed at least five Indonesian soldiers who were deployed to rescue him.“Please, there is no need. It’s dangerous for me and everybody here.”
Rebel spokesperson Sebby Sambom said last week that his group’s fighters killed at least 15 soldiers but offered no proof to back up the statement. Adm Yudo Margono rejected the rebel claims and said military operations in Papua were launched with a view to keep casualties at a minimum.
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