Police Commissioner Manning on those killed in Porgera
PNG Police Commissioner David Manning said security forces have been deployed to Porgera in Enga Province to curtail escalating violence.
The Police Commissioner said early this week, a gunman went on a shooting rampage, killing 5 innocent people, including a Seventh Day Adventist Pastor and two boys aged 4 and 8.
It was reported on Monday, 2nd of March 2020, that a group of SDAs including a pastor from Komanga village were on their way to the Porgera station to attend a church program when they were attacked.
Porgera Police claim the attack was in relation to an on-going tribal conflict around the Paiela area. The alleged attackers who had ambushed the victims were believed to be from the Taronga village.
Commissioner David Manning said in a statement yesterday afternoon, that due to the remoteness of the area, reports reaching Pogera Police are still sketchy.
He said according to the Police in Porgera, there is no formal report or complaint lodged with the police and due to the remoteness of the area Police were not able to attend to the incident and collect accurate information.
Manning stated that according to Senior Sergeant Jack Kimala from Porgera, it would take about three to four days to walk to Paiela from Porgera because there is no proper road access.
He said Police had received phone calls from a number of people from the area trying to give information however, coverage was not good and they were not able to get full details of the incident.
The District Law and Order Committee and police have sent local village court magistrates into the villages to verify the information.
Tribal conflicts around the Paiela area are still on-going and police and the Porgera District Administration are working together to minimise it.
Meantime, Commissioner Manning described the killing as barbaric and a vicious attack on innocent lives.
He told NBC News yesterday, that an investigation team will be sent to support the manpower on the ground.
He says once more forces are deployed then a case can be established on the perpetrators.
The Police Commissioner has sent his heartfelt condolences to the families and friends of those killed.
NBC News/ PNG Today
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