Kokoda rape suspects

This was gathered so far from the interrogation of the two male suspects.

Central Provincial Police Commander Laimo Asi said while investigations are ongoing, police have established this as the main motive behind the attack on the tourists.

He said according to the suspects, the tourist couple paid them less than what was required for their services; adding that the minimum pay for a days’ walk is K60 per day for each porter.

Kokoda Track Authority (KTA) officials and police are also on site to receive the chopper. James Enage CRO for KTA told PNG Loop that they have arranged for the trip over that will take 15 minutes to fly to Efogi, another 15 on ground before the helicopter returns. In total it will take 45 minutes.

Central Police Commander Laimo Asi says that the three men, two brothers from Efogi and one from Templeton will all be to be escorted to Efogi to flown over and be questioned into the incident that took place on Monday.

Asi says that the key suspect identified as Toksi Jacob from Efogi was the couple’s tour guide from Efogi to Templeton where he suspiciously refused to continue along the track with the two.

It was from there on Monday morning at around 7am that the two victims proceeded along the track and was attacked and assaulted.