Police Commissioner David Manning

Highlighting the urgency of the situation, Manning emphasized that the security forces are committed to neutralizing combatants and bringing agitators to justice.

During a recent briefing with the Prime Minister, Manning conveyed the collective horror felt across the nation concerning the senseless bloodshed in the Highlands Region, particularly in Enga Province.

At the recent launch of the Anti-fraud, Anti-Corruption and Whistleblowers Policy (AAWP) for the Prime Minister’s Department and the National Executive Council, Police Commissioner David Manning Commissioner Manning emphasized that fraud is not just a crime, but also an insidious blemish on our society.

“…Present a united front and say to crime, the gloves are off,” Commissioner Manning said at the launch of the Prime Minister’s Department and National Executive Council’s launch of the Anti-fraud, Anti-Corruption and Whistleblowers Policy (AAWP).

Commissioner Manning says the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary (RPNGC) is advancing a governance framework and implementing internal controls to minimize corruption and wastage.

From a pool of 13,039 applicants for the 2023 recruitment, Commissioner Manning announced that 443 regular recruits and 66 cadets have been chosen.

Addressing the recruits and cadets at the Bomana Centre of Excellence in the National Capital District, Commissioner Manning stated that the training duration would be nine months for recruits and three years for cadets.

The commencement of training was marked by an address to the first batch of 222 police cadets and recruits.

The arrest took place in Tari, Hela Province, marking the culmination of a long and intensive manhunt.

Pyakola is the prime suspect in the kidnapping of 17 girls in the Mt Bosavi area. He is wanted for his alleged role in a series of heinous crimes, including the armed robbery of K100,000 in cash, the murder of a Chinese national, and multiple cases of rape in the Kamusi logging camp and surrounding villages in the Delta Fly region since 2019. The most recent and shocking offence linked to Pyakola was the kidnapping of 17 girls.

Commissioner Manning made it clear that there is no time limit to the investigation, emphasizing that criminals and their associates will be pursued until justice is served. He stressed that this new and emerging crime poses a significant threat to national security and must be eradicated at any cost.

The update is following the recent decision by the National Court on the matter, and the ongoing investigations into other individuals involved in the corrupt dealings and efforts to recover misappropriated funds.

“The initial charges of alleged fraud against Mr Paraka were laid in 2013, which were dismissed by the National Court with the ruling citing an abuse of process by the State in failing to provide proof of an illegal transaction,” Mr Manning noted.

“Then again in 2018 similar charges were brought against Mr Paraka which were also dismissed.

Manning's update comes in the wake of the recent decision by the National Court and highlights the continued efforts to bring all individuals involved in the corruption scandal, to justice.

The Commissioner assured that the security forces, including the Police, PNG Defence Force, and Correctional Services, have diligently planned and committed themselves to ensuring a safe and memorable visit for the world leaders attending the summit.

The FIPIC summit, underway today, will host US Secretary of State Anthony John Blinken, Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of New Zealand Chris Hipkins, Prime Minister of Fiji Sitiveni Rabuka, and leaders from other Pacific Island nations.

The website launch marks a significant milestone for the RPNGC. Police Commissioner David Manning, when speaking at the launch, highlighted that the RPNGC website is a platform that will redefine the Constabulary’s engagement with the community and its approach to modern policing.

The RPNGC website is a key component of the Constabulary’s Digital Development Initiative, which is a comprehensive strategy designed to bring the RPNGC into the digital age.