A new video has emerged of a former New Zealand Jetstar pilot who has been held captive for a year by a group of armed rebels in West Papua.
The capture is being used as a negotiating tool for an independence movement, with rebels conveying a message that the man, Phillip Mehrtens, is safe and will, at some stage, be freed, following an earlier video from mid-2023 that suggested he had been given two months to live by his captors.
Mr. Mehrtens, who also worked for West Java-based airline Susi Air, was taken hostage by the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB)—the armed wing of the wider Free Papua Movement—on Feb. 7, 2023.
Mr. Mehrtens landed a commercial aircraft at Paro airport in Nduga after transporting health workers back to the town of Timika. The TPNPB seized and set alight the plane, while Mr. Mehrtens was detained and the health workers were released.
Nduga is an area of Highland Papua subjected to clashes between the Indonesian military and pro-independence fighters in a conflict that has its roots in 1969, when Indonesia took control of the former Dutch colony.
In a widely-circulated video in May 2023, the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) army threatened to kill Mr. Mehrtens within two months if the Indonesian government did not initiate independence talks with them.
Last week, on the anniversary of his kidnapping, the chief of general staff of the TPNPB, Terianus Satto, announced that Mr. Mehrtens would be released soon “in order to protect humanity and safeguard human rights.” But no specific date was given.
Captive Sends Message to His Family
The release of the latest video filmed on Dec. 22, 2023, shows an underweight Mr. Mehrtens directing a message to his family, saying, “I’m OK, they are treating me well, I’m trying to stay positive. I love you both lots and miss you both lots and hope to be able to talk with you soon.”
In a second video from the same time period, Mr. Mehrtens alluded to a freeing of restrictions by his captors by saying the commander, believed to be Egianus Kogoya of the TPNPB, had told him he could call his family directly next time the “Komadan” visits.
Appearing to appeal to the New Zealand Government, Mr. Mehrtens requested that he be supplied with medical necessities.
“Can you please help to get one or two ventolin inhalers just so that I have them available in case I get some asthma and, if possible, can I please get an e-book reader like a Kindle with as many English books as possible? That would be very much appreciated,” he said.On Feb. 7, New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters issued a statement urging the TPNPB to release Mr. Mehrtens immediately and without harm.
“(Mr. Mehrtens’) continued detention serves the interests of no one, ”said Mr. Peters.
“We know that just before Christmas, Phillip was able to contact some friends and family to assure them that he is alive and well, however, we are still concerned at the length of time he has been held.
“For the last year, a wide range of New Zealand government agencies has been working extensively with Indonesian authorities and others towards securing Philip’s release. The response, led by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, has also been supporting his family. They have requested privacy and I’d ask that their wishes are respected.”
Mr. Peters added that all possible diplomatic avenues are being pursued to “bring Philip home,” but was adamant the kidnapping was strongly condemned by the government, saying, “Let me be absolutely clear. There can never be any justification for hostage-taking.”
