Members of Free Papua Organization Return to Fold

Members of the Free Papua Movement have pledged their loyalty to Indonesia – The Indonesian Army photo.

Serui, West Papua, MINA – Seventy-seven members of separatist group Free Papua Organizations (OPM) have returned to the countrys fold on Thursday, submitting 32 firearms,Antara News reported.

They read their statement of allegiance, signed by their chief Kris Sineri, in the presence of local military, police, and administration officials.

In the statement, they pledged allegiance to the Unitary State of Indonesia, their support to the state ideology “Pancasila,” and their refutation to anti-development groups, who have so far acted under the pretext of Papua independence struggle, making them common enemies, as well as stopping their armed actions and providing support to the development of Yapen Island district.

They also promised to appeal to their fellows who are still in the jungle, to come out and return to the countrys fold, and sought security assurance for them.

After reading the declaration, Sineri, who was the commander of South Yapen group, handed over a revolver and separatist Morning Star flag he had kept in his bag.

The chief of Biak Military resort 173, Brigadier General I Nyoman Chantiyasa, after receiving their weapons, appealed to them to ask their relatives to go down to participate in the development of the region.

“We will develop the eastern area and support it as we are all brothers. We are all Indonesians,” he stated.

He called on former OPM members to stop the conflict and unite to develop Yapen so that people will be able to live in peace and not be afraid.   (T/RS5/RS1)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)