PAPUA – The West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) Defense Regional Command (Kodap) III Ndugama Derakma held a military ceremony, handing over one seized long-barrel firearm to the Commander of TPNPB Kodap III Ndugama Derakma, Egianus Kogeya. The weapon belonging to the Indonesian military, which had been seized in Yuguru District since January 4, 2026, was officially handed over following a total organizational evaluation held on July 24, 2026.
"One long-barrel firearm seized during an armed clash in Yuguru District has now officially become an asset of TPNPB Kodap III Ndugama Derakma to be used on the battlefield in Nduga," Egianus Kogeya said, Saturday (25/7/2026).
The TPNPB explained that the evaluation involved 3 Defense Regional Commands (Kowip) and 13 Battalions at the central headquarters of Kodap III Ndugama Derakma. In that consolidation, the TPNPB stated its readiness to continue armed resistance in the Nduga region until there is political recognition of Papua's independence, which was proclaimed on December 1, 1961.
The TPNPB also responded to security operations carried out by the Indonesian government under the leadership of President Prabowo Subianto. The TPNPB stated its readiness to face additional military personnel in the conflict area and emphasized that weapons seized from TNI forces would be used again in future escalations of fighting.
Meanwhile, the Chief of Staff of TPNPB Kodap III Ndugama Derakma, Rumianus Wandikbo, provided an overview of the track record of foreign pilot hostage-takings in the Nduga region. The TPNPB views such actions as part of resistance tactics that have taken place since earlier eras.
"The hostage-taking of foreign pilots in Nduga is nothing new because it first occurred in the Jila area, followed by the Mapnduma incident, up to the hostage-taking of Captain Philips Mark Martens in 2023 in Paro District," Rumianus Wandikbo said.
The TPNPB added that the decision to release the New Zealand pilot, Captain Philips Mark Martens, was made on humanitarian grounds after he lived with the TPNPB for 1 year and 9 months. The TPNPB also expressed apologies to local, national, and international networks for the dynamics and misunderstandings that occurred during the pilot's release process.
The TPNPB even urged President Prabowo Subianto, Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin, and TNI Commander Agus Subyanto to stop using helicopters and military drones near residential areas. According to the TPNPB, the geographical characteristics of Papua's tropical rainforests make drone usage prone to targeting errors and risk harming civilians outside the conflict zone.
The TPNPB also urged the government to evaluate its aerial military approach to minimize impacts on non-combatant civilians. The TPNPB emphasized that the focus of the conflict should remain in combat areas between opposing forces. (One Papua)