Papua. In a distressing message sent to his family, a New Zealand pilot held captive by the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) appears emaciated and neglected after a year in captivity.

Philip Mehrtens, abducted in February 2023 after landing his Susi Air aircraft in the remote Nduga region of Papua, conveyed his love to his wife and son, emphasizing his efforts to maintain a positive outlook.

The separatist group has consistently issued threats of executing Mehrtens unless the province gains independence from Indonesia.

Mehrtens conveyed his message through a video recorded on Dec. 22, 2023, but it was only released this Tuesday. In the video, the 38-year-old man, presumably recorded by TPNPB commander Egianus Kogoya, who orchestrated the burning of Mehrtens' plane and his abduction last year, chuckled softly as he introduced himself. Despite receiving proper treatment, he appeared thin, with long hair and an unkempt beard.

"I'm okay. They treat me well. I try to stay positive. I hope you and Jacob are healthy and well and getting support. When we meet again, the commander said we can try to call through WiFi," Mehrtens conveyed in the message.

"I love you both very much, miss you both terribly, and hope to speak with you soon," he said.

In a video uploaded to social media last week, Mehrtens pleaded with the New Zealand government to send one or two inhalers if he experiences an asthma attack. He also requested English e-books for his Kindle.

The Indonesian military has been conducting operations in the mountainous Nduga region to locate Mehrtens after his single-engine plane was attacked by the armed group. He had landed at Paro Airport to evacuate threatened health workers. Six Indonesian soldiers were killed in a firefight with separatists during the search for the New Zealand national.

On Feb. 2, TPNPB spokesperson Sebby Sambom said the central headquarters of TPNPB has agreed to release Philip, despite the lack of follow-up from the governments of New Zealand and Indonesia regarding previous negotiations

On behalf of the TPNPB Central Headquarters, Sebby mentioned that they have sent a message to Egianus Kogoya and his forces to release Philip immediately.

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