Manus Province

Series Of Armed Holdups Reported

Provincial Police Commander, chief inspector David Yapu, said the first incident occurred at the Lorengau Provincial Hospital.

He said six suspects, armed with a factory made .22 rifle, homemade guns, a bush knife and axe, held up a driver of the hospital.

They stole the hospital vehicle from him and drove off to ward 3, Lorengau town.

The suspects abandoned the hospital vehicle at ward 3 and held up another victim and stole a hire vehicle, a 10-seater, from him.

“The suspects fired a shot in the air and drove off with the vehicle,” said the PPC.

20yo rape suspect detained

Police in Manus have reported that the suspect, involved in the October 15th incident, is now in custody at the Lorengau Police Station.

Provincial Police Commander, Chief Inspector David Yapu, said the 12-year-old student was returning home after school when the 20-year-old man forced her into a nearby bush and sexually penetrated her.

Suspect in hiding after abusing 12yo

Provincial Police Commander, Chief Inspector David Yapu, said the suspect is in hiding after sexually abusing a 12-year-old student.

The girl was returning home from school on October 15th when he confronted her and forced her into the bush.

“He stripped her and sexually penetrated her,” said the PPC.

“She was taken to the Lorengau General Hospital for medical examination and a complaint has been filed with police.”

PPC Yapu said the suspect will be arrested soon, and he is appealing to the community of Lundret to help them.

Stepfather charged

The suspect entered the 17-year-old’s bedroom while she was sleeping.

Provincial Police Commander, chief inspector David Yapu, said the suspect wrapped a blanket around the girl’s mouth and forcefully penetrated her.

“This was a second incident that occurred on August 7th. The first incident occurred in October 2020,” stated PPC Yapu.

“The incident occurred at upper ward 6, Lorengau town.

“The suspect, who hails from Ahus village in Manus Province, was arrested and charged and is now in police custody.

Missing 62yo found dead

The former ward councillor of Bundralie ward, Pobuma LLG, was found lying under a tree without his hands and toes.

Provincial police commander, chief inspector David Yapu, said the head was also separated from the torso.

“Police are treating the matter as suspicious death and are still pursuing their investigations into the matter,” stated PPC Yapu.

He appealed to locals to assist police with information.

Police search for rape suspect

The Grade Seven girl was walking home when the suspect forced her into the bush and raped her.

Provincial police commander (PPC), chief inspector David Yapu, said the incident occurred on September 19th at 7pm.

“The victim was taken to the health centre at Panuselu for medical examination,” stated the PPC.

“The suspect is still on the run and will be arrested soon.”

Yapu appealed to the ward councillors and community leaders to assist police by bringing the suspect to the police station.

Police search for missing 23 Year Old

Provincial Police Commander, Chief Inspector David Yapu, said Bobby Pukel was travelling back to Tong Island after independence celebrations when he fell overboard.

Police allege that he and the skipper were drunk when leaving Lorengau town at 1pm on a 23-footer boat powered by a 40 HP engine.

PPC Yapu said the alarm was raised at the village and search was mounted at sea for five days but to no avail.

The boat operator who was with Pukel at that time is being questioned by police.

FAO in Manus

The workshop is part of a project being implemented by the agencies on mainstreaming Community Based Fisheries Management (CBFM) in West Coast Manus.

The aim of the project is to:

1) Provide technical advice and support to mobilize, strengthen and develop knowledge and capacity to engage in CBFM sustainable fisheries;

2) Contribute to strengthened local food systems founded on traditional institutions which are formally recognized and;

K7m handed to Manus

K5 million was set aside by the Department of Works to start construction of the planned road that will start in Lorengau and go all the way to the West Coast. K2 million was given by the Department of National Planning to start works on water supply projects in the Province, especially the outlying Islands.

Prime Minister Marape told the people present at the cheque presentation ceremony on October 5th that building the road from Lorengau to the West Coast will cost a lot of money, therefore it will be better to start building the road one kilometre at a time.

15 arrested over land dispute clash

PPC Manus, Chief Inspector David Yapu, said the fight on August 8th saw bush material houses burnt down as well as food crops.

The fight also disrupted classes at the Mbunai Primary School. Fortunately, no one was injured.

A team of Mobile Squad 10 members were sent to the area where they arrested 15 people, including the two leaders of the fighting groups.