16 Foreigners flee Logging site when PNG Immigration Officials visit Camp site
Sixteen foreigners have fled a logging site at the Musa Foru area in Northern province when hearing of the arrival of a special investigation team from Immigration and Citizenship Authority and police at the logging site.
The team is currently conducting spot checks on logging sites operated by foreigners to ascertain if compliance measures were met.
These may include asset registration, visa compliance, logging permits, and other compliance measures.
During their visit to the Musa Foru area, the team learned that 16 foreigners who usually live and work there have suddenly left.
The investigators are now investigating the incident and questioning the other 5 who were left at the site.
The Special Investigation team reached this logging site by boat after spending three hours at sea.
They went further upstream along Musa and Foru Rivers and arrived at the logging camp operated by a Malaysian company.
The team found only five (5) employees, all were Asians.
Upon request, they provided their work permit documents, General Working Permit Identification Cards, and Passports.
However, members of the team became suspicious after being informed by locals that the majority of the Asians were airlifted out of the camp the previous days.
This claim was initially denied but after confiscating a mobile phone from one of the Asians, they found evidence recorded in the phone which also includes videos and images of Asians boarding a helicopter out of the logging camp.
The company has confirmed making payment to a helicopter company to airlift 16 Asian employees.
Investigators also found evidence of the payment made to the helicopter company.
A photograph of a list of names and signatures believed to be the manifest was also found in the mobile device.
The team believes those who escaped simply left to avoid apprehension and arrest for not being in possession of valid documents.
The remaining 5 including a female were all taken in for questioning and further interrogation in Popondetta town.
Identities and whereabouts of the 16 who escaped will be established once investigations are complete.
Meantime, 30 foreigners were apprehended by the same team at Sambora in the Sohe District recently.
The joint investigation team sanction by ICA through Minister for Immigration and Border Security Westley Nukundi Nukundj is currently investigating logging sites in the Northern province starting last Tuesday.
NBC News/ PNG Today / Pictures: PNG ICA
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