Inp.polri.go.id – Jakarta. The Head of Public Relations Task Force of Damai Cartenz Operation, Superintendent Bayu Suseno addressed the indication of Armed Criminal Group (KKB) took the wife of Captain Phillip Mehrtens as hostage. “That was just a propaganda voiced by the KKB with them expecting that the wife came to Nduga and finally kidnap her,” explained the Public Relations Task Force Chief on Wednesday (1/31/2024). Recently, KKB have requested for the government to bring the wife of Phillip Mehrtens, although their request was not guaranteed. On the other hand, Bayu says that the effort in rescuing the hostage still continues and remains prioritizing negotiation with Egianus Kogoya as the leader of KKB. The negotiation is carried out by the acting governor of Nduga Regent as they have close relationship with Kogoya. “However, to this day we have not seen a shed of light in rescuing the pilot caption which has been held hostage since February 7th, 2023,” continued Bayu. Furthermore, Bayu stressed that the Damai Cartenz Task Force handle the case with soft approach after considering the safety of the pilot. He hopes that the negotiation would soon bear the result in rescuing Captain Philips. (ad/ay/pr/nm)