The Police Minister has condemned the actions of the public on members of the Royal PNG Constabulary in the Southern Highlands Province.
Two officers were reportedly gunned down during the weekend. Details into the killing are yet to be established.
In a statement, Minister Jelta Wong says: “In light of the current situation in the Southern Highlands Province, a number of fatalities were sustained by the RPNGC as a result of a deliberate and cowardly attack by members of the public on members of the RPNGC, an action I condemn as the Police Minister.”
He says we as a nation will not tolerate such acts.
“Deliberate attacks on members of the RPNGC and other Government security personnel will not be taken lightly and will be responded to in an appropriate manner that will deter any possible future occurrences.
“Such attacks will be viewed as a direct attack on the sovereignty of the nation.
“In my capacity as Police Minister, I will ensure that appropriate and relevant legislation is drafted and introduced to Parliament to protect our service men and women in the course of their duty, as a matter or priority.
“I will also be ensuring that the Commissioner of Police responds to this incident appropriately and every effort will be made to ensure those leaders and their followers are brought before the courts to be held accountable for this atrocious incident.”
Wong says he will also be discussing with the Commissioner on how best the RPNGC is able to manage this issue and others with the possibility of instituting a firearms and ammunition moratorium, a State of Emergency for parts of the Highlands region as well as further drafting of legislation to deal strictly on offences relating to the use of firearms. The minister suggested increasing penalties of custodial sentences from 40 years to life.
“Finally, please allow me to convey my sincere condolences to the families of the members of the RPNGC who have been impacted and suffered unnecessarily by this incident and during the elections, and let me assure them that we will not rest until we stop the unwarranted killing of our servicemen and women,” assures Minister Wong.