Watlarik Hiluka is a civilian suspected by police to be a freedom fighter of the West Papua Liberation Army (TPNPB). At around 11.30 a.m. on 3 June 2018, both plain-clothed and fully-armed uniformed police came to his house while he was hosting four friends. Police fired two shots into the air and one to the ground, demanding to know which person was Watlarik. Both houses on the property, one a traditional honai house, were ransacked by police. Hiluka’s face was kicked twice during the interrogation while one of the friends, Nandus Hiluka, was hit twice in the face. Police also threatened to shoot Roy Hiluka, Watlarik Hiluka, and Nandus Hiluka, and to burn both houses. Watlarik Hiluka surrendered two packs of ammunition to the police and was taken to the Jayawijaya police station.
He was 55 years when arrested.