VIDEO. “Hello, it’s me”: the last proof of the life of Philipp Mertens, a hostage of Papuan rebels for a year

Philip Mark Mertens, a New Zealand Jetstar pilot, appears thin and pale in a video released several days ago, the latest sign of life for the 38-year-old since his capture on February 7, 2023, by an armed Papuan separatist group. TPN-PB. The video, dated December 23, 2023, shows Philip talking to his family for the first time in more than six months. West Papuan Liberation Army rebels kidnapped him after they stormed his plane as he was supposed to evacuate 15 construction workers building a medical center in the remote Nduga region.

“I’m fine, they’re treating me well… I’m trying to stay positive and hope that you and Jacob are healthy and that you’re doing well and that you’re getting support,” a physically weakened Philip tries. to calm down. Separatist spokesman Sebbi Sambom wrote on Facebook that he would be a hostage in negotiations with Indonesia, but warned that if Jakarta refused to negotiate or intervened militarily, the pilot “will be executed.”