'Miss you both': New Zealand pilot held hostage in Papua for over a year speaks to family in new video

A video of a New Zealand pilot captured by members of the West Papua Liberation Army surfaced Tuesday along with a heartbreaking message to his family.

Philip Mark Mehrtens, 38, has been living in a remote jungle in Indonesia since his plane was taken over by rebels after landing in the mountainous province of Nduga last year, according to the Independent.

Mehrtens addressed his wife and son in the video saying, “I’m OK, they are treating me well. I’m trying to stay positive, and I hope that you and Jacob are healthy and doing OK and getting support."

“I love you both lots and miss you both lots and hope to be able to talk with you soon,” Mehrtens said.

Mehrtens met his wife, Maria, in Indonesia, according to the Daily Mail. After some time in New Zealand flying for Jetstar, the couple returned to Indonesia and Mehrtens took a job flying with Susi Air. He was on a missing to rescue 15 construction workers from the region when his plane was overtaken by rebels.

'We will never release the pilot'

The West Papua Liberation Army is an armed wing of the Papua Liberation Movement that has been calling for independence from Indonesia since it absorbed Papua in 1969.

Many Papuans have been forced from their land due the resettlement of hundreds of thousands of people to Papua from the rest of the country, resulting in an uprising and clashes between rebels, police and civilians, according to reporting by Al Jeezera.

When rebels seized Mehrtens' plane, six passengers were on board. They were released because they were indigenous to the land.

"Our plan to evacuate the workers angered the rebels, who responded by setting fire to the plane and seizing the pilot,' Nduga district chief Namia Gwijangge, a passenger on the flight said in a statement obtained by the Daily Mail.

The rebels put out their own statement saying they will "never release" Mehrtens "unless Indonesia recognizes and frees Papua from Indonesian colonialism."

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Mehrtens asks New Zealand government for support

In a second video also released last week, Mehrtens appears to ask the New Zealand government for help with supplies.

"Can you please help to get one or two ventolin inhalers just so that I have them available in case I get some asthma and, if possible, can I please get an e-book reader like a Kindle with as many English books as possible," Mehrtens says. "That would be very much appreciated."

New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters called for Mehrten's release last week, stating that the pilot was providing “vital air links and supplies to remote communities” on behalf of the New Zealand government at the time of his capture.

“We strongly urge those holding Phillip to release him immediately and without harm. His continued detention serves the interests of no one,” Peters said in a statement on X, formerly Twitter.

The West Papua Liberation Army expressed their readiness to release Mehreten following the statement, AP reported, with rebel leader Terianus Satto saying, “In order to protect humanity and ensure human rights" the group would "return Philip Mark Mehrtens to his family."

Satto did not give any further details or time frame for the possible handover.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Pilot held hostage in Papua for over a year sends message to family