Commander of Armed Criminal Group Philip Kobak Arrested in Yahukimo
The Cartenz Peace Operation Task Force apprehended a member of an armed criminal group (KKB) named Philip Kobak alias Nenak Kobak in Yahukimo Regency, Papua Pegunungan. Officers also confiscated ammunition and arrows from the residence of the Kimbusa Kodap XVI Company Commander for Yahukimo.
“The individual in question was known to hold the position of Kimbusa Kodap XVI Company Commander for Yahukimo and is suspected of involvement in numerous violent acts,” said Task Force Public Relations Commander Kombes Yusuf Sutejo of the 2026 Cartenz Peace Operation, as reported by detikSulsel on Monday 9 March 2026.
The suspect was arrested in the vicinity of the GIDI Church at Kali Brasa, Dekai, Yahukimo, on Saturday 7 March at 16:44 WIT. The suspect was apprehended after his location was detected and personnel pursued him to the area near Kali Brasa Church.
“Upon discovering the presence of law enforcement, the suspect abandoned his vehicle and fled towards the forest. After a sweeping operation by the team in the surrounding area, the suspect was eventually secured,” he explained.
During the arrest, officers recovered several items from the suspect, including approximately 1,135,000 Indonesian Rupiah in cash, one mobile telephone, one black bag, one green noken (traditional woven bag), one torch, and one mobile phone charger.
Personnel from the Cartenz Peace Operation Task Force subsequently conducted further investigations by searching the suspect’s residence on Jalan Gunung, Kampung Tomon 2, Dekai, on Sunday 8 March. Officers also searched several other residences suspected of being hideouts for armed criminal groups in the Yahukimo area.
“The team discovered several pieces of evidence, including four rounds of 5.56 mm ammunition, two rounds of 9 mm ammunition, sharpened metal, bags and nokens, personal documents belonging to the suspect, a bow and 31 arrows, four machetes, three axes, one sangkur (traditional tool), two kitchen knives, one 5.56 mm projectile, and 45 cartridge casings of 7.62 mm and 5.56 mm ammunition,” he stated.