Papua No. 1 News Portal | Jubi
Sentani, Jubi – One of the health workers at the Kiwirok Health Center who survived the gunfight incident in Kiwirok District, Gunung Bintang Regency, Gerald Sokoy, told how he survived the incident. Gerald Sokoy stated that the incident on September 13, 2021, occurred when he and his colleagues were preparing to carry out health services, when the health workers were still in their official residence.
Gerald said, suddenly someone came and shouted asking everyone who was in the house to get out, because the house was going to be burned. “Kitong” [kami] want to run out, but scared, so [kami] stay [di] in the house only. Because I was so scared, I came out, just run outside, jump [ke] Canyon. I also heard that there were gunshots from inside the house itself, from inside the kitong had a house,” said Gerald Sokoy when he told reporters in Sentani, the capital city of Jayapura Regency, Papua, Saturday (25/9/2021).
Gerald Sokoy was shocked to hear gunshots from the direction of the house, so much so that he ran faster and jumped into the abyss. He then continued to run away from the scene. “[Saya] straight down at the river [sungai], stay at times until the situation has calmed down. [Setelah itu], I started walking slowly [pergi] from the forest, from the river. [Akhirnya saya] until where I can sleep, I sleep a little. [Lalu] get up, walk again,” he said.
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After walking some distance, Gerald Sokoy met the residents. He was invited to a resident’s house, given food and a place to rest. When he woke up, the residents asked him if he would stay, because Sokoy’s condition was fine.
However, Gerald Sokoy said he would return to Sentani, the capital of Jayapura Regency, because his mother was sick. Residents who found him said they couldn’t take him and asked Sokoy to find his own way.
Gerald eventually left the home of the resident who helped him, and continued his journey. “I walk slowly. There is another community. They claim to help. They started calling Oksibil, [ibu kota Kabupaten Pegunungan Bintang], through [radio] SSB. From there, I was given instructions, what to do, [diberitahu] aircraft [akan] pick up,” he said.
Because the plane did not pick him up, Gerald Sokoy had time to continue his journey. Finally, on Friday (9/24/2021) he received news via SSB radio, that he would be picked up by plane in Okika District.
“So I went to Okika District and I took a plane from there. I’m grateful that I got here safely,” he said.
He also admitted that the photos circulating about him with a group of residents were true. “O… that’s my time in [pemancar radio] SSB. I want to go to [pemancar radio] SSB, new [bertemu masyarakat], until I can survive here. Thank you Lord Jesus, I can survive. Maybe that’s all I can say thank you very much,” he said.
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Selotius Taplo who mediated the pick-up of Gerald Sokoy said that since Friday (9/24/2021) his party had communicated via SSB radio to the parties in Kiwirok. He asked the servant of God there to help return Gerald Sokoy.
“As soon as Gerald ran away, he took refuge in the servant of God. I’m asking for your help, brother Gerald [pemancar radio] SSB. I and the Head of Public Relations of the Gunung Bintang Regency Government will communicate directly,” said Selotius Taplo.
After connecting via SSB radio, Taplo was able to communicate with Gerald. Taplo asked Gerald Sokoy when he could be picked up. Gerald said whenever he could.
“I ask everyone there to take him to Okika District, which is an expansion of Kiwirok. They took him to Okika yesterday and he was in good health and ready to be picked up. This morning we asked permission from the Regent, went to pick up at Okika, “said Taplo.
-Editor: Aryo Wisanggeni G
