Provincial Police Commander

“They must remain in their yard or premises and celebrate New Year and not come out on the main road and street to block off the road or dump rubbish.

“Police will come hard on them if they break the law. Police will be working round the clock 6pm to 6am.

“Those people that are living in the small outer Islands of Manus, the same message applies to them.

This was revealed by Provincial Police Commander Laimo Asi this afternoon.

Police have reason to believe that the apprehended suspect is one of the men in an old man’s masks that ran towards the vehicle in an attempt to hold up a family consisting of a couple, their two children and paternal grandfather.

The family was travelling down from a sightseeing trip at Varirata, outside Port Moresby.

The whole ordeal was captured on a dashboard camera and has since gone viral on social media; even attracting international attention.

PPC Lincoln Gerari made the call following the local magistrate’s absence from work for several weeks.

Police do not know where the magistrate is, but they know that the cell block at the Popondetta Police Station is currently overcrowded with prisoners awaiting court hearing.

“There are currently 80 prisoners in the cell.”

The PPC says they have tried reducing the bail for minor cases to make up space at the cell; however the number continues to increase each day.

The incident occurred at around 7am on Sunday.

A source told TVWAN news that supporters of sitting MP Tobias Kulang tried to enter the counting centre when they were stopped by members of the public, which then led to a big fight.

Provincial Police Commander, Alex N’Drasal, confirmed that Kulang is in police custody in Goroka, firstly for his own safety, and to wait out his court hearing.

PPC N’Drasal said Kulang’s first court appearance this morning did not eventuate because there was no judge to see to it.

Provincial Police Commander, Chief Superintendent Sibron Papoto says over 1000 security personnel will be on ground, while 743 police officers will be involved in providing security to polling officials with election materials.  

Police personnel in Hela and Simbu were scheduled to make their way yesterday to Mendi, following the completion of polling in most of these areas. 

Provincial Police Commander Robert Gesa commended the people’s behaviour during the campaign period.

“I am very happy with candidates and supporters’ conduct, which have shown a sign of maturity,” PPC Gesa said.  

He further appealed to the people of West Sepik to maintain peace in the remaining days of the election campaign period and polling.

The 14 days polling of the 2017 National Election will start on June 24.  

(File picture of Vanimo Town)

This is likely to stir up trouble among supporters in the province, says EHP police.

Apart from that, no major election related incidents have been reported.

Provincial Police Commander, Superintendent Alex N’Drasell, said campaign period within the province has been running without much disruption.

EHP has been very peaceful, he says.

Election operations in the province have been running swiftly and according to expectations.

Provincial Police Commander, Joseph Tabali, confirms that this came about after they received information alleging that some soldiers were on the flight upon a candidate’s request.

It was claimed that the flight was sponsored by National Alliance endorsed candidate for Namatanai, Walter Schnaubelt.

All 23 of them disembarked from the plane and were taken to the Kokopo Police Station where they were searched and questioned.

Police found out that three were soldiers of the PNG Defence Force.

Provincial Police Commander Joseph Tondop said this is because of the informative awareness that has been going in the province since December last year.

“We have not seen much activity with the people since nominations started,” said the PPC.

“People have gotten back to their normal everyday routine and are just waiting for polling to start.”

Tondop also raised concerns on the locations of the polling booths, where he suggested to the Electoral Commission to have them in central, populous areas that are at walking distance.

Officer in Charge of Traffic in Madang, Sergeant Frank Makora, was attacked while controlling traffic at the crossing near Modilon Hospital.

He said he hung his bag (bilum) with his personnel effects on a nearby wall when a thug grabbed his bag and ran towards the public cemetery.

"I was controlling the pedestrians when this happened. Bystanders informed me of my bag being snatched and I chased the thug," he said.

During the chase, the officer tripped and fell. The thug then punched him and took off again.