Sikka Commander Coordinates Earthquake Response in Maumere

Maumere — Kodim 1603/Sikka commander Letkol Arm Denny Riesta Permana coordinated with subdistrict military commanders after a magnitude 7.7 earthquake affected Sikka, according to Pos-Kupang.com’s report published on 9 October 2026. The report said the coordination took place at Kodim 1603/Sikka on Jalan Trans Maumere-Larantuka, Alok Timur, Sikka Regency.

After the commanders assembled, Permana contacted Sikka Regent Juventus Prima Yoris Kago to discuss assistance from the Indonesian military, the report said. Military village officers were then tasked with checking damage, casualties and other impacts in their respective areas.

The report said a disaster-response task force was subsequently formed. It also said military units across Flores coordinated to assess conditions in their respective areas before aligning their response with the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB).

Why it matters

The response was centred in Maumere and surrounding Sikka areas, placing local military coordination alongside the wider emergency effort after the earthquake. The report said Frans Seda Maumere Airport was designated for the distribution of relief supplies by air.

Permana was appointed as the point of contact for assistance arriving by aircraft, according to the report. His role included communicating with donors and preparing equipment to support the distribution of logistics through the airport.

The report also said assistance began arriving one day after the earthquake. It attributed the account to Permana in an interview with TribunFlores.com on Friday, 9 October 2026.

Sources

• Pos-Kupang.com — regional news report
• arabnews.com
• gulf-times.com
• Metro TV — established Indonesian national news organisation reporting Denny Riesta Permana’s role in distributing aid after the magnitude-7.7 Flores earthquake
• Liputan6 — established Indonesian national news organisation reporting Kodim 1603/Sikka personnel’s post-earthquake aid response and Regent Juventus Prima Yoris