ESP police boss lied, says parent over students arrest

A parent who was arrested together with university students yesterday in Wewak claims the police report of the incident is untrue.

Chris Bais told Loop PNG today that the comment by the East Sepik Provincial Police Commander Peter Philips is untrue.

“They are all lies, the PPC lied.”

Bais added that his wife and another parent were arrested with the students.

PPC Philips yesterday said, “They were just driving around town making noise and not doing any awareness.

“Apart from the 18 students that were arrested (nine UPNG, four Unitech and five high school students), no parents were arrested.

“People were just spreading unnecessary rumours,” Philips said.

While been held in custody, East Sepik Tertiary Student Union president Newton Savi told Loop PNG that "Police have charged us under section 64 for unlawful assembly,"

"Which we did not do because we were on the road at Kreer, heading into town when the PPC (Peter) Philips and his policemen intercepted us.

"We did not damage any property or assembly when arrested."

The student leader said they gave a letter to the provincial police boss and were advised to redraft it.

"When we rewrote the letter, the PPC was nowhere to be found. We were looking for him since Thursday last week." Savi told Loop PNG.

The students were charged K500 each and were bailed yesterday around 6pm after Governor Sir Michael Somare stepped in.

The total bail money was contributed by the general public and Junior Michael Somare.  

The 18 will appear for mention tomorrow (Wednesday) at the Wewak District Court.

Picture of the three parents and students taken today at Wewak Police Station.

Picture source: Donus Winga. 

Author: 
Charles Yapumi