No attempts by refugees to leave: Police

As of Wednesday, November 15, none of the refugees have made attempts to voluntarily leave the Manus Regional Processing Centre (MRPC) and move to their new locations.

According to the Royal PNG Constabulary, all buses were provided at the centre to transport them but the refugees refused to leave the MRPC.

The MRPC at Lombrum Naval base has been revoked by the Minister for Immigration and Border Security, Petrus Thomas, as permanent places of immigration detention. The minister has declared in the national gazette the new sites at hillside haus as permanent places for immigration detention.

Manus provincial police commander (PPC), Chief Inspector David Yapu says this now gives Police and the Immigration and Citizenship Services Authority, as the lead Government agency, to move all the refugees and asylum seekers to the new sites.

“Force is not an option,” says the PPC. “The refugees and asylum seekers are being politely asked to voluntarily move to their new residences.

“All basic services, including electricity, water and food, have been stopped so hopefully this will force the refugees and asylum seekers to relocate to the new sites where there is food, water and electricity.”

The PNG Defence Force will take back the centre as their Naval Base for normal military activities.

(Manus asylum seekers protesting last week)

Author: 
Press release