Press Release By The TPNPB OPM Central Management Headquarters on “A year of Philip Max Mehrtens Hostage”
TENTARA PEMBEBASAN NASIONAL PAPUA BARAT
(The West Papua National Liberation Army)
ORGANISASI PAPUA MERDEKA
(West Papua Liberation Organization)
KOMANDO MARKAS PUSAT
CENTRAL COMMAND HEADQUARTERS
Wanum, West Papua. E-mail : sekretariatpusat.tpn@gmail.com dan kasumtpnopm@yahaoo.com
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PRESS RELEASE
Today February 7, 2024, is the one-year-old detention of the Air Susi Airplane pilot from New Zealand, Philip Max Mehrtens, who was detained by the West Papua National Liberation Army – the Free Papua Organization, the Regional Defense Command III Ndugama Darakma under the Regional Commander-in-Chief Brigadier General Egianus Kogeya on February 7, 2023, during the national liberation war “War of National Liberation” against the Indonesian government in the West Papua Territory.
We affirm that the struggle of the West Papua National Liberation Army – Free Papua Organization (TPNPB-OPM) is an Act of International Law Enforcement that guarantees the Right of the Papuan Nation to self determination based on an Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Indonesia and the Government of the Kingdom of the Netherlands at the Headquarters of the United Nations on August 15, 1962 and recorded under General Assembly Resolution Number 1752 (XVII) 1962 of the United Nations, September 21, 1962.
The West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) using this “War of National Liberation” is based on the history of manipulation of legal rights for the self-determination of the people of West Papua and the history of violations of international law related to the status of the West Papua Territory. Historical facts prove that the legal status of the West Papua territory under International Law is a territory that has been sovereign and independent in 1961, therefore the TPNPB has the right to maintain sovereignty in order to enforce international law that is guaranteed in accordance with the United Nations Charter “Self-defense”.
Thus, in the context of the one-year detention of the New Zealand Citizen Susi Air pilot, Philip Max Mehrtens, who was detained by the West Papua National Liberation Army-Free Papua Organization, Defense Regional Command III Ndugama Darakma under Regional Commander Brigadier General Egianus Kogeya, then we from the National Command Central Headquarters, the West Papua National Liberation Army-Free Papua Organization as the higher authority of the military organization in West Papua issued an official statement that:
1. The West Papua National Liberation Army-Free Papua Organization holding a pilot from New Zealand hostage is not actually the main target, but a guarantee of the Indonesian Government’s Violation of allowing Civil flights to enter the war area between the TPNPB-OPM (Milter of the Papuan Nation) and the Indonesian Military;
2. The hostages took place according to the standards of the law of war. Pilot Philip Max Mehrtens landed his plane in a war zone using the Susi Air airline which was subsidized by the Indonesian Government with the Pioneer Operations program. TPNPB-OPM Ndugama Darakma suspects that the New Zealand Pilot is carrying out a pioneering operation task which is an Indonesian Intelligence operation to destroy the struggle of the Papuan nation and spy on the movement of the West Papuan National Liberation Army (TPNPB);
3. We announce that in one year the Government of the State of Indonesia and the Government of the State of New Zealand are unable to open up to Peace Negotiation with the Papuan nation in the context of the release of Pilot Philip Max Marthens who is a New Zealand citizen who was detained by TPNPB-OPM;
4. We condemn President Jokowi and the Indonesian illegal Government in West Papua who are unable to answer the demands of the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) of the Defense Regional Command III Nudgama Darakma and are also unable to accept the offer of Peace Negotiations with the Management of the West Papua National Liberation Army National Liberation Army (KOMNAS TPNPB) headquarters for the release of the Pilot for one year. And also to the New Zealand Government who still does not want to accept a good offer from the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) in the release of the Pilot. Both countries have failed in their efforts to seek release through peaceful ways, still underestimate the goodwill efforts of TPNPB – OPM;
5. We are disappointed with Melanesian countries that have never paid attention to humanitarian crises including the release of New Zealand Pilot and the armed war categorized as part of the international armed conflict character, which has been going on for too long in the Pacific region. This is the failure of Pacific regional governments such as MSG and PIF that are not in accordance with the humanitarian norms of the lives of the indigenous people of the islands in the Pacific, and the West Papuan nation invites countries in the Pacific region to be a solution for the safety and release of Pilot from the rotten intentions of Indonesia who are trying to victimise this Pacific citizen from New Zealand;
6. The Management of the Central Headquarters of TPNPB gave the highest appreciation to the Commander of the TPNPB Regional Defense Command III Ndugama Darakma and the Troops for being able to carry out the noble task of ensuring international humanitarian law in war in accordance with the “1949 Geneva
Convention III related to the protection of prisoners of war and the IV Geneva Convention on protection of civilians”. This is the proof and reputation of the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) because it has proven to be treated well, guarantee health and save Pilot Philip Max Martherns from the deadly attack of the Indonesian military. Therefore, through the Central Headquarters Management of National Command of TPNPB OPM will grand awards for the dedication, sacrifices and extraordinary work carried out by all TPNPB Regional Command III Ndugama Darakma troops;
7. In order to protect humanity and ensure human rights, the Management of the Central Headquarters of the National Command, the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) will return the pilot Philip Max Martherns to his family through the Jurisdiction of the Secretary General of the United Nations (UN).
Thus, we convey this Press Release with full responsibility on behalf of the Papuan nation, so that it is known by all Parties. Thank you.
Issued at Central Headquarters
On February 7, 2024
WEST PAPUA NATIONAL LIBERATION ARMY
CENTRAL HEADQUARTERS COMMAND
On behalf of HIGH COMMANDER
CHIEF OF GENERAL STAFF
signed
Major General TERIANUS SATTO
NRP: 7312.00.00.003
TENTARA PEMBEBASAN NASIONAL PAPUA BARAT (The West Papua National Liberation Army) ORGANISASI PAPUA MERDEKA (West Papua Liberation Organization) KOMANDO MARKAS PUSAT CENTRAL COMMAND HEADQUARTERS Wanum, West Papua. E-mail : sekretariatpusat.tpn@gmail.com…