Merhtens, who works for frontier airline Susi Air, was abducted by the West Papua Liberation Army (TPNPB), an affiliate of the Free Papua Movement (OPM), in February following a routine flight to Nduga regency, Papuan Highlands province.

In the five months Merhtens has been held hostage, the government has claimed to be prioritizing peaceful negotiation, although this has not prevented skirmishes between security forces and the TPNPB from breaking out over the past months.

Amid the stalled negotiations, Komnas HAM Papua office head Frits Ramandey said he had spoken with TPNPB leader Egianus Kogoya regarding Mehrtens’ condition.

“Thus far, Egianus is still honoring the humanitarian treatment of the hostage,” Frits said on Monday, as quoted by Kompas.id, adding that Merhtens was still healthy.

Frits went on to say that while the Komnas HAM’s Papua office would maintain communication with the TPNPB, it also urged the government to quickly appoint a negotiator, particularly since the TPNPB had appointed its own negotiator to engage with the government.

“Talks between negotiators are only the initial stages. During the talks, [hopefully] the terms [of Merhtens’ release] can be agreed upon by both parties," said Frits. “Philip's rescue is very important for the safety of the people in Nduga. If it goes awry, it will trigger conflict between the group and the security forces."

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President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo reiterated the government’s preference for a peaceful solution on Monday, but appeared to acknowledge potential alternatives.

“We will keep trying to negotiate. Actually, there are a lot of [options] we can take, but I can't talk about it publicly,” Jokowi said just before jetting off to Australia to meet with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.

Jokowi is expected to be in Jayapura, Papua, on Thursday, to attend the Papua Street Festival.

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OPM spokesperson Sebby Sambom told Tempo on Tuesday that the groups “welcomed the wise gesture of Jokowi that shows willingness to engage in dialogue with us”. Sebby said he had also advised Egianus against executing the hostage.

The TPNPB initially demanded that Jakarta recognize Papuan independence in return for Mehrtens’ release. But reports emerged this week that the TPNPB would settle for a ransom of Rp 5 billion (US$332,000), which Sebby has denied.

Responding to the demand, Papua Police spokesperson Sr. Comr. Ignatius Benny Ady Prabowo said earlier this week that the Papua administration was working to prepare the ransom money. But contrary to Komnas HAM’s report, Ignatius claimed the TPNPB had been unwilling to negotiate.

“[They] requested Rp 5 billion, and later, during the negotiation process, [we] will see how much we can afford, but Egianus’ militia hasn’t yet been willing to negotiate with us,” Ignatius said, as quoted by Kompas.com.