TPNPB Claims It Does Not Harm Indigenous Papuans
The West Papua National Liberation Army-Free Papua Organisation (TPNPB-OPM) has stated that its militias across 36 defence regions will not harm or attack indigenous Papuans, particularly civilians. Spokesperson for the TPNPB headquarters, Sebby Sambom, said that since the group’s inception, its fighters have been forbidden from hurting fellow Papuans, provided the individuals have no record of or connection to the Indonesian government. “We do not hurt our brothers,” Sambom said via WhatsApp voice message on Friday, 3 July 2026.
He cited the shooting of a pilot and the burning of a PT Associated Mission Aviation (AMA) aircraft at Balinggama Airstrip in Yahukimo Regency on Thursday, 2 July 2026, as an example, noting that all seven passengers survived. The seven civilian passengers, all indigenous Papuans, were identified by the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) as Eston Sibolim, Kwenang Sobolim, Tonu Balingga, Elina Sobolim, Ona Sobolim, Lisenia Balingga and Faince Amohoso. Sambom also referenced the February 2023 hostage-taking of Susi Air pilot Philip Mark Mehrtens by the TPNPB Kodap III Ndugama-Derakma militia, during which five indigenous Papuan passengers were released unharmed. “We have a law of war that obliges us not to harm indigenous Papuans, unless they are traitors,” he said.
The TPNPB has returned to the spotlight after claiming responsibility for the shooting of the pilot and the burning of the aircraft at Ipdeheik Balinggama Airstrip, Sobaham District, Yahukimo Regency. Sambom stated that the shooting of the American pilot, Nicholas F. Goselin, was a warning to all airlines operating in Papua not to transport Indonesian military and police personnel or logistics. “We shot him as an ultimatum,” he said.
Meanwhile, Commander of the Joint Regional Defence Command III, Lieutenant General Lucky Avianto, urged all TPNPB militias to cease acts of violence and immediately pledge allegiance to Indonesia. He issued an ultimatum for the fighters to lay down their arms, warning that the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) could take decisive action based on the applicable laws and the principle of populi suprema lex esto. “The TNI will not hesitate to take firm action when faced with urgent situations,” Lucky said in a written statement on Friday, 3 July 2026. He explained that such firm action could be applied by soldiers while upholding the principles of law and human rights, with the rules of engagement for TNI operations governed by TNI Commander Regulations Number Perpang/32/IV/2011 and Perpang/33/IV/2011.