Police Commissioner David Manning

Commissioner Manning made this remark following an upsurge in lawlessness within the last 72 hours in parts of the Enga Province.

He said a joint task force comprising of military and police personnel will be established and inserted into the Enga Province at the earliest to restore law and order. The Commissioner also announced that 15 candidates of the various seats within the Enga Province in the 2022 National General Election are currently being investigated for their role in the election related violence.

He said news from around the country have been mixed, with some reporting quiet and peaceful polling whilst others reported instances of attempted hijacking of the election process as reported in Hela and the Enga Province.

Mr Manning has called on his officers to support one another during this time.

“This is a test for all of us. We do not have the luxury nor the option to give up. Be assured we are doing our level best to maintain the electoral process. We have many servicemen and women who believe in our country and are committed patriotic Papua New Guineans.

The event took place at the Pope John Paul Oval on Friday, June 17^th in Mt. Hagen, Western Highlands Province.

The launch also symbolized security operations throughout the country for this election.

During the event, Commissioner Manning reminded the QRF members to be good ambassadors of their respective forces.

“In the course of this operation we will be subject to scrutiny and criticism. This is expected and we must not allow this to distract us from our efforts,” he said.

He said it was the responsibility of every citizen to ensure a free and safe election, including the security forces.

“We’ve always maintained going into election that we ensure a free, fair and safe election and it is the responsibility of every single Papua New Guinean,” he said.

Commissioner Manning added that police and other security forces do not run the election but are tasked to safeguard the electoral process.

“The deaths are unfortunate but they are very much an indication of how people respond during this campaign period.

Commissioner Manning made these remarks during his official visit to Mt Hagen Western Highlands last week to inspect and ascertain the establishment of the joint security forces operation forward base at the Kimininga Police Barracks.

Mr Manning, when receiving reports from Divisional Commander Highlands Eastern-end Assistant Commissioner Rigga Neggi, commended police officers for initiating and commencing pre-election awareness and operations despite resource issues. 

He made this comment during a “meet and greet” session between the media and the senior hierarchy of the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary.

Manning said the security forces could deliver a safe and successful election in partnership with the media, in disseminating correct and timely information.

He said such commitments will not be honoured by the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary.

Commissioner Manning said financial commitments will be honoured only if authorization has been given by him through the office of the 2022 National Election Planning and Coordinating and Vetting Teams which is chaired by Assistant Commissioner Policy and Planning Dr. Philip Mitna.

The collision also claimed the life of the late DPM’s Close Protection Officer, First Constable Neil Maino.

Following a brief from the Divisional Commander Northern Assistant Commissioner Peter Guinness, Commissioner Manning said, “A Police investigation commenced immediately following the incident and on documenting the accident scene and interviewing the two survivors of the accident, police investigators were satisfied with the evidence on hand to lay charges on the driver of the other vehicle.

He stated that all policemen and women throughout the country are now directed to arrest and charge anyone in possession of illegal firearms, which under the amended laws carries a life imprisonment from May 19 onwards.

Mr Manning who is also the Registrar of Firearms said that previously, offenders, if found guilty were given a maximum term of 10 to 20 years imprisonment.

Manning said the traditional border crossing arrangements established under the Torres Strait Treaty are suspended as of May 4th 2022. 

He added that a person can only cross the border in the event of medical emergencies, natural disasters and emergencies at sea.

Authorized Officers have been placed to monitor the traditional border crossing areas in Western Province.