Hearts Over Arms: TNI Soldiers Buy Farmers' Produce in Papua, Showing the True Power of Compassion

PAPUA - Amid the cool breeze of Intan Jaya’s mountainous terrain, warmth and humanity emerged not from words, but from action. Soldiers from the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI), assigned to the RI–PNG Mobile Border Security Task Force Yonif 500/Sikatan, demonstrated their deep commitment to the people of Papua—not through arms, but through compassion. Wednesday, June 4, 2025

Led by Second Lieutenant Inf. Sugiono, ten personnel from the Pasiminlog Task Force launched the "Rosita" initiative (Boros Hasil Tani – Buying Up Farmers' Produce) at the Mamba Kotis Post. Their mission: to help local Papuan mothers carry and sell their agricultural produce to the Sugapa Market, ensuring their hard work did not go unnoticed or unrewarded.

With family-like warmth, TNI soldiers assisted in carrying heavy baskets of vegetables, purchased the mothers’ produce at fair prices, and treated the local community with the utmost respect. Far beyond routine duties, their actions reflected a heartfelt dedication to the people—especially the women who are the backbone of their families and communities.

"The TNI is not just here to defend the nation’s borders, but to protect and embrace its people, " said 2nd Lt. Sugiono. "These Papuan mothers are our mothers, too. Helping them is not just a duty it’s a calling from the heart."

This humble act of service forged a powerful emotional bond. One Papuan mother, moved to tears, expressed her gratitude in a blend of Indonesian and local dialect:

"The TNI is kind. They carry our things, give us money, and protect us. We feel safe, and we are happy."

Lieutenant Colonel Inf. Danang Rahmayanto, S.I.P., M.M., Commander of Task Force Yonif 500/Sikatan, emphasized that humanitarian actions like *Rosita* are part of a broader strategy placing human connection at the forefront of their mission.

“We did not come to Papua to be feared, but to serve, protect, and stand with the people, ” he stated. “Rosita is more than a program. It’s a declaration of unity and compassion proof that the TNI stands not only with strength but with heart.”

The *Rosita* initiative has become a routine activity for Satgas Yonif 500/Sikatan, deeply appreciated by the local community. More than just a military operation, it symbolizes the unbreakable bond between soldiers and citizens one rooted in unity, empathy, and shared love for the homeland.

A simple gesture in the highlands, but a profound reminder to the nation: that the TNI’s presence in Papua is not just to defend but to serve, to love, and to protect.

Authentication:

Dansatgas Media HABEMA, Lieutenant Colonel Inf. Iwan Dwi Prihartono