Students arrested in Wewak

Philips told Loop PNG following the decision by Wewak District Court, which struck out the charges laid against the 18 students and parents for ‘unlawful assembly’.

The University of Papua New Guinea and University of Technology students, including some high school students and parents, were en route to Wewak CBD to conduct their awareness when they were arrested last Monday by local police.

“No more awareness, I have already advised the student leaders,” Philips said.

Chris Bais told Loop PNG today that the comment by the East Sepik Provincial Police Commander Peter Philips is untrue.

“They are all lies, the PPC lied.”

Bais added that his wife and another parent were arrested with the students.

PPC Philips yesterday said, “They were just driving around town making noise and not doing any awareness.

“Apart from the 18 students that were arrested (nine UPNG, four Unitech and five high school students), no parents were arrested.

“People were just spreading unnecessary rumours,” Philips said.