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April 11, 2025 | 03:32 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Sebby Sambom, spokesperson for the West Papua National Liberation Army-Free Papua Movement (TPNPB-OPM), accused the Indonesian government of deliberately deploying military personnel to conflict zones in Papua.
He alleged that some reserve forces are operating under the guise of gold miners.
Sebby further claimed that not only miners, but also civil servants such as teachers and healthcare workers sent to Papua’s conflict areas are actually affiliated with the government’s intelligence agency.
"They disguise themselves as civilian workers to infiltrate," he said in a statement on Friday, April 11, 2025.
Sebby claimed to have evidence to support his allegations, pointing to a past statement made by the Chief of the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI), General Agus Subiyanto, as the only proof his group considers credible.
The four-star general previously stated that his troops in Papua also serve as educators and healthcare workers.
"The statement confirms that all newcomers in conflict areas, regardless of their profession, are members of the military. Period," he stated.
According to him, the statement could legitimize attacks carried out by his group against military forces disguised as civilians in Papua.
"We are ready to execute anyone who disguises themselves as motorcycle taxi drivers, gold miners, construction workers in conflict areas," he said.
Most recently, this armed group attacked and killed 17 civilians who worked as gold miners in Yahukimo, Papua Highlands. The OPM claimed that the deceased victims were military personnel in disguise. The attack took place from April 6 to 8, 2025.
OPM also previously attacked educators and healthcare workers in Anggruk District, Yahukimo Regency, Papua Highlands, at the end of March. A teacher was reported to have been killed and several others were injured.
The Head of the TNI Information Center, Brigadier General Kristomei Sianturi, rejected the claims made by OPM, calling them propaganda aimed at legitimizing the group’s attacks on civilians.
"The propaganda constitutes manipulation of information to seek justification for their brutal actions. OPM has blatantly committed crimes against innocent civilians," he said in a written statement on Thursday, April 10, 2025.
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