Illegal firearms

It has been reported that more than five people have been confirmed dead after a tribal fight at the border of Jiwaka and Simbu provinces in June this year.

PPC Korin said heavy involvement of firearms was used during the fight.

“We believe that those firearms they are using to kill in the tribal fight are smuggled illegally because an ordinary villager cannot afford a gun,” he said

He said the most effective weapons that are used in the highlands region to fight over land disputes or other issues are firearms. 

They were initially rounded up by police in Bogia District after being informed by locals that the group was allegedly involved in a number of robberies.

Bogia police reported that the young men reside in Newtown in Madang town. It was stated that the group was in the district to attend to a wake (hauskrai) on Sunday, July 23, 2023.

Police apprehended them in the early hours of Monday, July 24.

This operation carried out in collaboration with the PNG Defence Force, dealt a significant blow to a suspected large-scale illegal weapons trafficking network that had been fueling tribal conflicts and domestic terrorism activities in the Highlands region.

The meticulously planned operation, executed under the leadership of Commissioner of Police David Manning, led to a series of arrests linked to the weapons trafficking network. These arrests were facilitated by the provisions introduced in the Firearms Act of 2022, championed by the Marape-Rosso Government.

He said the Government has also been looking into the use of illegal firearms in the country and increase the period of imprisonment of those convicted.

Marape made those comments after receiving a series of threats to his life and his family  from unknown people.

He said the Government will be looking into the reports by former Commander of Defence Jerry Singirok and Bire Kimisopa on the guns report in the next Parliament session early next month.