PNG Defence Force New Year rampage 2017

“There were more than five soldiers involved and we are waiting for PNGDF to identify these men and bring them in for questioning,” says NCD Metropolitan Superintendent Ben Turi.

He says the second group that was involved in the shootout will be dealt with as they have already identified five of them.

Already, one of the soldiers, Joe Mondo, was arrested and charged with being in possession of a pistol without a license, a charge under Section 27 (a) of the Firearms Act.

Mondo was in court yesterday for his hearing, where his charges were read to him.

NCD Police Boss, Ben Turi says so far, five soldiers have been identified.

However, he says more than five were seen to be on the two vehicles and should also be identified as well.

He says the two officers who instigated the incident have already been questioned and the matter is now before the courts.

Statements from media sources who were on location during the rampage to capture the happenings will also be collected to help out in the investigation process.

 PNGDF Chief of Staff, Colonel Ray Numa, responded to Prime Minister Peter O’Neill’s directive, saying they have initiated the policy last year and will implement it once they get down to the facts.

Colonel Numa further explained that soldiers who have recently passed from the Goldie Training Depot have a two-year probationary period.

If they breach the Code of Military Discipline, the One Strike and You are Out Policy will be enforced directly on them.

Two officers were already brought into the police station for questioning yesterday.

PNG Defence Force Chief of Staff, Colonel Ray Numa, says four other soldiers involved in the Boroko Police Station assault will be brought in for questioning as well.

Colonel Numa says as per the PNGDF Commander, they have initiated a proper investigation into each of the soldiers alleged to have been involved in the Boroko Police Station New Year’s assault.