Inp.polri.go.id - Jayapura. Inspector General Mathius Fakhiri,  the Papua Regional Police Chief, confirmed that the Police Attaché at the New Zealand Embassy, Paul Borrel, inquired about the condition of Susi Air Pilot Phillip Merhtens being held captive by armed criminal groups (KKB) in the Nduga Regency of Papua Mountains. "It's true that I received a visit from the Police Attaché at the New Zealand Embassy today, and during our meeting, they inquired about the efforts to free their citizen being held captive by the KKB led by Egianus Kogoya," he said on Monday (26/2/2024). Chief Fakhiri acknowledged that during the meeting, it was explained that the Papua Police, in collaboration with the XVII/Cenderawasih Military Command, have been doing their maximum efforts to locate and ensure the safe return of pilot Philip Mehrtens. Currently, the security authorities are monitoring the developments regarding the pilot, including his whereabouts and health condition, antaranews.com reported. Various government agencies, including the Papua Mountains administration and several district administration in Puncak, Lanny Jaya, and Nduga, as well as those in Yahukimo, and local communities near the borders of the Nduga Regency also assisted the efforts. Chief Fakhiri hoped that the New Zealand Police will continue to remind their government that the Indonesian police and military continued working to ensure the safe release of their citizens. "Don't trust parties who exploit the pilot issue for their temporary interests in Papua, as there are parties attempting to obstruct and hinder the negotiation process, which is already underway and nearing a resolution," he said. (mg/inp/pr/nm)