Chief Inspector David Yapu

The incident occurred yesterday (Feb 28) at 11am at West Lorengau refugees’ camp site.

Manus provincial police commander, chief inspector David Yapu, said the deceased, from Morobe Province, was employed by NKW as an operator.

Yapu said the deceased was lifting up a big heavy duty power generator at the west side camp when the crane lost its balance to the left side and capsized, with the deceased trapped inside the cabin.

He tried to free himself and his other colleagues but without success.

Manus Provincial Police Commander, Chief Inspector David Yapu, said the refugee was armed with a small knife when he tried to attack a soldier where a fight took place at 4pm.

He said other soldiers came to their comrade’s assistance while bystanders came to help the refugee.

Police arrived at the scene and dispersed the crowd, containing what could have been a nasty situation. 

Yapu said no one was seriously hurt or injured but warned people to respect the rights and freedom of refugees moving around in the town.

Manus Provincial Police Commander Chief Inspector David Yapu issued the warning following the arrest of youths who stole from MV Manus.

Owned by Papindo Trading, the ship captain and his wife were held up, assaulted and had items worth K4,779 stolen on Sunday.

The vessel was anchored near Rara Island when the suspects, who are known to police, held it up.

One arrest has been made, with more expected to follow.

A team from the PNG Immigration, Police and Correctional Service flew with the refugees into Manus last Friday on a chartered Air Nauru flight.

Four of those who were supposed to be on the flight stayed back in Port Moresby.

Manus PPC, Chief Inspector David Yapu, said they were received by PNG Immigration officers and Police and escorted to their new accommodation site at Hillside and West Lorengau in Ward 1.

He said the refugees were voluntarily escorted from Port Moresby to Manus and later transported to their campsite without any use of force.

Manus provincial police commander, Chief Inspector David Yapu, said the woman was held captive in the accused’s house at Pere village for some time, where she was denied her rights and freedom to movement, even to come out of the house for ‘nature’s call’.

He said the convict's wife and the woman were all living in one house and while his wife was allowed to move around freely, the victim was not.

Yapu said the husband of the woman went to the man’s house and asked him to release his wife so he could take her to see their children at their house.

Provincial police commander, Chief Inspector David Yapu, is now raising concerns over the number of detainees and remandees in the new police station building.

Currently there are 45 detainees and remandees in the police cells.

Yapu, who spoke to this newsroom, said the new police station has separate holding cells for male, female and juvenile detainees but the 45 is a lot.

“We want to keep a small number of detainees at one time at the cells,” he said.

The three allegedly broke into a shop, owned by a Bangladeshi man in Lorengau, and got away with cash and goods worth K36,061.50.

Manus PPC, Chief Inspector David Yapu, said they broke into the shop using a bolt cutter and took off with K20,500 cash and cigarettes worth K15,561.50.

Meanwhile, a 36-year-old man from Manus has also been arrested and charged for allegedly sexually assaulting a minor.

Police say the accused was under the influence of alcohol when he entered the victim’s house through the window while she was asleep and assaulted her.

This now brings the total to five arrested. They were further slapped with the charge of escaping lawful custody on top of the charges they were facing before they escaped on 31 December 2017.

The three who surrendered to CS officials are Walter Ted (24) from Lukum village, Pobuma LLG, who is on wilful murder charge, Potiloh Pokuwil (28) from Buliso village, Bupi Chupen Lelemadih LLG, on attempted murder charge and 19-year-old Manuel Popres of Tingou village, Tetidu LLG. He is facing armed robbery, break and enter and unlawful wounding charges.  

This resulted in the arrest of two others from the same village, who are now in police custody.

The prime suspect, Simon Pokoi (30) of Warambei village, in the Lelemadih Bupi Chupei LLG, was arrested and charged for causing grievous bodily harm.

The victim of the sorcery accusation related violence, Jeffery Pominis, had his left hand chopped off with a bush knife.

Manus provincial police commander, Chief Inspector David Yapu, said Pominis was chased and attacked by villagers of Warambei.

Ken Lomai was caught over the weekend. He escaped with others after he was arrested and charged for a serious offence last year.

Provincial police commander, Chief Inspector David Yapu, says Lomai and three other co-accused were charged with wilful murder and were awaiting trial in the National Court when they escaped.

Yapu said while the escapee was on the run, he allegedly damaged the windscreen of a Kingfisher Hire vehicle with another suspect, who is still on the run.

“He will be dealt with for the offence by the CID (criminal investigation department) members.