The family of Kiwi pilot Phillip Mehrtens who was freed yesterday after more than 19 months in captivity in West Papua said in a statement they were “extremely grateful” to all those involved in his release.
Mehrtens was ambushed by a group of armed men as he landed on a remote airstrip in the mountainous area of Nduga on February 7 last year.
The Christchurch pilot was taken hostage by a group of separatist fighters, known as the West Papua Liberation Army, who have been demanding independence for the region.
In a statement, the family said the last 19 and a half months had been “very difficult for all of us”.
“There were so many people involved in the effort to find and release Phil, and we are grateful to each and every one of them for the parts they played in helping with Phil’s safe return.
“There are too many people to mention individually but we are extremely grateful to the Indonesian Government including the Indonesian Police and Indonesian Military for prioritising peaceful negotiations in order to keep Phil safe.”
Phillip Mehrtens was held in captivity by separatist rebels in West Papua for 19 months. (Source: 1News)
The family also said they were “grateful” to the West Papua Liberation Army for keeping Mehrtens as safe as healthy as their means allowed and for allowing him to get messages out to let them know he was alive and okay.
“Those messages filled our souls and gave us hope and that we would eventually see Phil again.”
The family also said they would “forever be grateful” to the New Zealand Government, the New Zealand police, the NZ Embassy in Jakarta, Hostage International and Susi Air for the “incredible” amount of support and care provided.
“The team at MFAT and the Embassy, in particular, went above and beyond from the minute Phil was taken.
“We are so grateful for the trust they placed in us and the daily updates they provided.
“As challenging as this has been, it would have been inordinately harder if we were not aware of how hard everyone was working and what actions were being taken. Seeing how diligently and caringly they serve the people of this country makes us incredibly proud to be Kiwis.”
‘Long and arduous ordeal’ – Winston Peters
A doctor has found Mehrtens to be in “remarkably good shape given his long and arduous ordeal”, Foreign Minister Winson Peters said.
“Mr Mehrtens’ release involved a wide range of people and organisations, and the New Zealand Government wishes to acknowledge the Papuan community figures, who with the help of the Indonesian Government, assisted in ensuring Phillip’s safe release,” he said today in a statement.
“We are also thankful to the Indonesian authorities in Timika for looking after Phillip yesterday. They enabled him to call his family and did all they could to ensure his comfort with food and water, a shower and a change of clothes.”
Peters said Mehrtens was flown to the Halim Airforce base in Jakarta by the Indonesian authorities, where he was met by New Zealand’s Ambassador to Indonesia, Kevin Burnett.
“Mr Mehrtens had a private reunion with his immediate family last night. After 600 days he also got to spend his first night sleeping in a bed.
“He has this morning been checked by an Australian Embassy doctor and is in remarkably good shape given his long and arduous ordeal.”
Peters said the pilot “will now need time and space to adjust to life after captivity”.
“We ask you all to please respect his and his family’s privacy.”