TPNPB claims militias won't harm indigenous Papuans, warns airlines

The West Papua National Liberation Army-Free Papua Movement (TPNPB-OPM) has declared that its militias will not harm or attack indigenous Papuan civilians. Sebby Sambom, spokesperson for the TPNPB central headquarters, stated that since the group's inception, its militias have been forbidden from harming fellow Papuans, provided they have no ties to the Indonesian government or a history of betrayal.

"We do not harm our brothers," Sambom said via WhatsApp voice message on Friday, July 3, 2026. He cited the recent incident on Thursday, July 2, where a pilot was shot and a plane belonging to PT Associated Mission Aviation (AMA) was burned at the Balinggama Airport in Yahukimo Regency. In that event, seven passengers, all indigenous Papuans, were reported to have survived. Sambom also pointed to the February 2023 hostage situation involving Susi Air pilot Philip Mark Mehrtens, where five indigenous Papuan passengers were unharmed.

"We have laws of war that oblige us not to harm indigenous Papuans, unless they are traitors," Sambom added. The TPNPB has recently drawn attention after claiming responsibility for the shooting and burning of the plane in Yahukimo. Sambom stated the shooting of the American pilot, Nicholas F. Goselin, was a warning to all airlines operating in Papua to cease transporting Indonesian military and police personnel and logistics.

Meanwhile, Lieutenant General Lucky Avianto, Commander of the Joint Regional Defense Command III, urged all TPNPB militias to cease their violent activities and reaffirm their loyalty to Indonesia. He issued an ultimatum for the militias to lay down their arms, warning that the Indonesian military (TNI) is prepared to take firm action in accordance with the Rules of Engagement (ROE) and the principle of 'populi suprema lex esto' (the welfare of the people is the supreme law). Avianto emphasized that the TNI would not hesitate to act decisively in urgent situations, while upholding legal principles and human rights.