David Manning

The young man was allegedly subjected to assault by policemen attached to the Six-Mile Police Station and died last Saturday. Members of the Six Mile community protested on Sunday but were stopped by Police.

Commissioner Manning said he wants this and other claims of police brutality and abuse to be thoroughly investigated.

“We the police are not above the law. We are entrusted to protect life and property and to bring to justice those who break the law,” he stated.

The new office will be next to the National Fraud and Anti-Corruption Directorate building.

Construction work is scheduled to commence in late September this year.

Manning says this would solve the problem of rental for the Internal Affairs Directorate where they have been renting office for the last three years.

“This is where we need leadership with vision and foresight. If we had built three years ago, we would not have paid over K2 million on rentals.”

Manning made this clarification in response to concerns that the Bomana Prison facility is treating remandee Bhosip Kaiwi, charged this week for the killing of Jenelyn Kennedy, different from others going into prison.

“I am advised by CS Commissioner Stephen Pokanis that all detainees admitted to the Bomana prison will be isolated at its designated isolation centre for 14 days prior to release into the general prison population,” Manning outlined.

The latest confirmed patient, is a 26 year old female that resides in Port Moresby and is a close contact of Case 10.

The result was returned from the CPHL Laboratory in Port Moresby at 6:30pm on the 25^th of June.

Deputy Controller, Dr Paison Dakulala reiterated that "people will not know that they have COVID-19, and may move around and most importantly being in an infectious state. This drives the importance of staying home when you have flu like symptoms, cough, body aches and fever.

This is PNG’s tenth case of COVID-19. She works at the PNG Defence Force at Murray Barracks but lives off-site in a shared accommodation. She was tested as part of the ongoing mass testing of the staff at the barracks following the announcement of the 9^th patient on June 20. Her positive PCR test result was received today from the Queensland Health Laboratory in Brisbane, Australia.

Manning made this statement following queries from the public whether there were liquor restrictions in place.

“To assist with government response to COVID-19 during the State of Emergency certain restrictions were placed on the sale of liquor. However, when the SOE ended we reverted back to the normal situation. Let me make it clear that I have not issued any control measures on the sale of liquor under the National Pandemic Act 2020.

“We are in a national health emergency which threatens our people so I challenge our officers to continue to be committed and loyal,” Manning said following queries whether police men and women engaged in the SOE were to be paid allowances.

“There was never a commitment to pay any allowances except for those that were deployed to other provinces for COVID-19. Money is a big issue and our priorities are in the health sector in terms of PPE and testing.

Governor General Sir Bob Dadae signed Commissioner Manning’s contract together with seven other heads of departments and agencies for a term of 4 years at the Government House in Port Moresby.

The ceremony was witnessed by Secretary of Department of Personnel Management, Taies Sansan and Foreign Affairs Secretary Barbara Age.

After the swearing in ceremony, Manning thanked the Marape-Steven Government for having the confidence and giving him the mandate to command the Police force.

When giving a rundown on the relaxation of certain SOE restrictions, Controller David Manning said tertiary institutions have recommenced this week while secondary and primary schools are set to start next week.

“However, if I can remind all parents and guardians, that this is optional – to either allow your children or those under your care to attend classes as of next week Monday,” Manning stated.

“Let me again remind you all that COVID-19 is here to stay. To stop it from spreading, it will not kill you to follow simple health measures.”

These include the reopening of flights into East New Britain, resumption of public transport, and amendment of the curfew in NCD, Central and Western Province.

In a statement issued, as of 6pm April 24^th, all:

·       Flights restrictions into and out of Rabaul are lifted and the Port of Rabaul to be re-opened as a designated international shipping port.