Police

There have been reported cases of attempted suicide and self-harming by refugees in Manus over the past years due to mental depression.

Last month alone saw four cases of attempted suicide among refugees housed at the East Lorengau Transit Centre in Manus.

Provincial Police Commander, Chief Inspector David Yapu, is raising concerns on the incidents.

He said between 25^th May and 31^st May, three refugees attempted suicide while one tried to set his accommodation on fire.

The 56-year-old church elder from one of the mainline churches is alleged to have ‘sexually touched’ a 12-year-old victim on two occasions.

The man from the Balopa LLG allegedly sexually touched the minor in February 2014 and in April 18 this year.

PPC Manus Chief Inspector David Yapu said such an incident involving a church elder is immoral and against church values, bringing a bad image to the church.

On 13 May 2019, Police, Drug and Vice Squad confiscated one 40 foot and one 20 foot container of fake cigarettes.

In a statement the management said in discussing the contents of the containers in the media, the police “irresponsibly stated that Kennedy Estate YFIG was involved in the fake cigarettes which they busted in January 2019”.

“It is unfortunate our corporate name YFIG has been mentioned by the Police, Drug and Vice Squad and we are seeking legal advice on the possible defamation of our corporate name and reputation,” it said.

The 17-year-old from Eastern Highlands Province was among curious onlookers who turned up at Boroko, seeking answers to rumours of abduction and kidnapping in the city, when he met his fate.

His sister, who was with him at Boroko, said he was rushed to the Port Moresby General Hospital 20-30 minutes after he was shot.

A source from the hospital who attended to the deceased reliably told this newsroom that the bullet entered the back of his skull and was lodged above his ear.

Commander NCD/Central Assistant Commissioner Donald Yamasombi said the reports, including that of a young girl who reportedly freed herself after being abducted at Four-Mile, were not registered with police so cannot be confirmed.

“This particular case was not formally reported and registered with police but we are not taking this matter lightly and doing everything within our means to investigate and take appropriate police action,” ACP Yamasombi said.

This was the message from the Lae metropolitan superintendent to the residents of Busurum compound.

Confrontations at the Busurum Compound claimed the lives of two young East Sepik men on separate occasions.

A youth was killed last week following disagreements over ownership of a small crocodile.

Lae police report that when the two involved parties met on Sunday at Busurum compound to sort out repatriation and funeral expenses, another fight broke out, which resulted in the death of the second youth.

At about 8.30am, a member of public called the Police Toll Free number, reporting an individual who was armed and attempting to hijack vehicles.

The Police Operations room got a description of the armed offender with his exact location, then sent the message by police radio.

It was reported that the suspect was located somewhere past the second seven dump, towards Bumayong.

Special Response Unit 104, who cover this area, were close by and promptly responded.

The suspect, in the process of capture, was wounded in the foot and apprehended.

He said the style of revenge killing was practiced in the past and does not reflect changes that are happening now in the Criminal Justice System in PNG.

Enga’s Police boss made this remark when addressing tribal leaders from Winikos village in Kombiam, after a man from the Pinai tribe was shot dead, allegedly by Wangin tribe members, on March 11.

Three teenage boys were also allegedly shot by the same tribe after the initial shooting.

The community is mourning their loss, saying the young man was not a trouble-maker, nor did he engage in criminal activities.

One mother from Bitapaka Street, said they now live in fear of the police, whom the community alleges were behind the shooting.

She said parents are afraid to send their children to do errands because it is not safe anymore.

Another female resident, who was travelling home on a PMV, said police pointed guns at her and her daughters while ordering the PMV bus driver to turn off the bus lights.

The Six-Mile acting Police Station Commander, Chief Sgt Bruce Amos, said most times, commanders meet with the NCD police boss then pass down information to their subordinates.

This time, he wants his officers to hear from the metropolitan superintendent themselves.

It is hoped that their face-to-face meeting will also boost officers’ morale.