Marine Corps Commander Releases Bodies of Two Fallen Marines Killed by OPM

REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA – The Commander of the Marine Corps (Pangkormar) Lieutenant General Mar Endi Supardi led the ceremony for the interment and release of the bodies of two marines killed by the Free Papua Organisation (OPM) at the Hartono Marine Corps Academy, Cilandak, South Jakarta, on Monday (23/3/2026). The two victims were posthumously awarded Private Marine Anumerta Andi Suvio and Private Marine Anumerta Elki Saputra. Both fell while carrying out their duties to the state in safeguarding sovereignty in Papua. Specifically, Private Elki was first sent to his hometown in Padang, West Sumatra, to be buried with military honours. The Head of Naval Information Service (Kadispenal) Rear Admiral Tunggul explained that the two Marine soldiers fell as national heroes in defending sovereignty. Both Private Andi and Elki became targets in a firefight with OPM. “Our main focus at this time is to provide a fitting final tribute to these patriots of the nation, and to ensure that all rights of the deceased and their bereaved families are properly fulfilled,” said Tunggul in Jakarta on Tuesday (24/3/2026). The series of ceremonies proceeded with great solemnity, as a form of final respect for the service, loyalty, and sacrifices of the deceased to the nation and state. Acting as the inspecting officer was Lieutenant Colonel Marine Muhammad Kristian Widiantoro, and the parade commander was Captain Marine Wilman Marbun.