Provincial Police Commander

He said the appointment on the constables is to assist the police manpower shortage in the province. Supt. Barkie said the constables were identified and trained for the election operation.

He said their term as special constables would expire when the election ends.

PPC Barkie said the other police officers in the province had also gone through special trainings for the election period. Some of the things taught during the training were on how to deal with election-related offences, with physical training exercises progressing well.

Provincial Police Commander, Chief Inspector David Yapu, said the officer went to the cells and released the suspect after he was offered some money.

PPC Yapu said the suspect, from Rambutso Island, was waiting for his court appearance after being charged for possession of drugs and escape from custody.

“The policeman escaped to Port Moresby when I directed my Police Station Commander and officer-in-charge to investigate the incident,” said the PPC. “He knew he was going to be arrested.”

Police in Manus reported that the incident occurred at Levei village, Lorengau, at 6.30pm.

Provincial Police Commander, Chief Inspector David Yapu, said the deceased was confronted by the suspect when he was heading to get his fishing gear at Levei.

During that time, the suspect took out a small knife and stabbed the deceased on his upper left arm, where he started bleeding heavily.

“A community health worker attended to him but could not do much to save his life as he had already lost a considerable amount of blood.”

Provincial Police Commander, Chief Inspector David Yapu, said the escapee, Wendal Agua, aged 28 from Likum village, climbed over the razor fence with another prisoner, 22-year-old Kevin Murimbe, on January 31^st.

The PPC said Agua was charged with wilful murder, where he was convicted by the National Court on April 10^th, 2019, and sentenced to 30 years in hard labour.

Provincial police commander, Peter Barkie, said this is the sad reality on ground.

Once synonymous with tourism, the beautiful island province of Milne Bay has been rocked with shootouts, arson, petty crimes and piracy; a nightmare for the majority of the laidback local populace.

With the new provincial police commander, Barkie, taking over the reins, his vision to restore the public’s trust in the force is hampered with a lack of logistics.

Provincial Police Commander, Chief Inspector David Yapu, said the suspects gained access to the premises, climbed up the water tank at the back of the house, removed louvre blades and entered the house.

They allegedly went through the manageress’ bedroom whilst she was fast asleep and stole her two mobile phones, bilum and cash.

The security guard who was at the premises was believed to have been asleep at that time.

“The incident was reported to police and police are pursuing their investigations,” stated the PPC.

Provincial Police Commander Silva Sika says there were no major incidents nor crimes.

PPC Sika commended police officers in the district, including some community leaders, who took the initiative to conduct awareness in their communities.

He says law and order issues can be reduced if all stakeholders work together.

PPC Silva Sika has applauded his officers for a job well done.

(Article by Jim John – third year UPNG Journalism student)

The interim Senior Inspector, Epenes Nili, has been appointed as the acting PPC for Enga until further notice.

Yamasombi made the clarification following a report by one of the dailies, alluding to the transfer of Superintendent Joseph Tondop to Jiwaka.

“It is totally unprofessional and irresponsible to report in the newspaper that the PPC for Enga, Superintendent Joseph Tondop, has been moved to Jiwaka,” Yamasombi stated.

Provincial Police Commander, Chief Inspector David Yapu, said over the weekend members of the Mobile Squad 10 confiscated a number of homebrew implements, better known as ‘wara galas’, at Dungoumasih village outside Lorengau town.

The team picked up two gas cylinders and seven large containers as well as a local man and had him arrested and charged for being in possession of homebrew implements.

Police say six men were involved in the incident. Two of those suspects are still on the run after relatives handed over the four, allegedly involved in the pack rape, to police.

The incident occurred early this month at Wanimas village in Tsak valley.

Police say the 18-year-old victim was accompanied by her cousin brother to the toilet. They were ambushed by six men near a coffee garden, where she was abducted and taken to a house where they allegedly took turns raping her for over seven hours.