New Zealand pilot speaks to family after release by West Papua rebels

New Zealand pilot Phillip Mehrtens has been freed after more than one-and-a-half years in captivity in Indonesia’s West Papua region. Mehrtens, a former Jetstar pilot, was taken hostage by the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) in February 2023.
A spokesperson for Indonesia's military said Mehrtens was in good health and showed no signs of PTSD, though he had lost a lot of weight
Phillip Mehrtens, New Zealand pilot held captive in West Papua, freed after 19 months

[dawwilliams]

Indonesia ought to relinquish their control of the Papua region and give the area its own independence. Their culture is so different. The original settlers to the western portion of New Guinea Island are ethnically the same as Papua New Guineans. Many of the locals are tribespeople who do not conform to traditional Indonesian religion, culture or way of life. Indonesia seem to be occupying the area because it’s profitable to their lucrative yet destructive palm oil trade as seen in Indonesian Borneo or (Kalimantan).

[metaldetectoristnox]

Wow if we had any type of airforce or army u probably be there for another 5years