The Engan Police have issued a stern warning to the Tribes in and around the Wapenamanda to cease all violent activity and to not harm innocents or face the full brunt of the law as police continue operations to curb violence in the province. Provincial Police Commander, Superintendent George Kakas stated that this was his message to leaders of both the Sikin and Kaikin Tribes in Wapenamanda after a meeting was called recently to address the ongoing conflict. The PPC told PNG HAUSBUNG that he has spoken to both tribes and have advised them to cease the violence or face the repercussions of not doing so. “I warned not to create any trouble and told them not to fight.” “They also raised a few issues with us but I also told them that now that I’ve warned you do not continue.” “Should you do so, I will arrest your leaders.” The Police have now stepped up their manpower in the area to watch over public property and on constant alert, maintaining close watch over the highways and roads. “Situation is a bit okay now. We’ve been making sure that roads are cleared and, on the look-out for any disturbances.” Kakas stated that there have been some clashes on and off but so far, he reports that these are minor scuffles. He added that as police operations continue and police asserting their presence in hot spots around the province, people are now adhering to the restrictions and now limiting movement.

In good spirits, both the National Information & Communications Technology Authority (NICTA) and the PNG Customs Service have inked an MoU to form a partnership in ensuring the effective execution of their respective functions, allowing for free flow of trade in the ICT sector. According to NICTA, the MoU follows a review of an existing collaboration that has been ongoing since 2012 between both agencies. It empowers the enfocement of Nicta’s Type Approval Compliance function by PNGCS in respect of all ICT equipment imports. PNG Customs Services Chief Commissioner David Towe stated that they believe in working in partnership as it has been a key figure in their success. He stated that the ICT industry is evolving and it is vital that we keep up with latest technology and commended NICTA for the work that they do. The MoU will address and strengthen the response to the level of assistance to be provided by PNGCS when administerin PNG borders for ICT regulatory purposes, ensure entry of type approved genuine ICT equipment in the PNG Market place and other responsibilities. The signing also marks an important milestone for NICTA, with the automatization, its equipment/Apparatus Type approval process from the traditional manual listing and vetting process so that checks and approval are done online with less delay and greater efficiency for customers both domestic and international.

It was all excitement for the police recruits who set foot at the Bomana Police School of Excellence on Friday as the first batch of the police recruits who had been selected and qualified for the regular training program at the Bomana Centre of Excellence started flying into the Nation's Capital. Commissioner of Police, David Manning stated that recruits that arrived today were flown in from West Speik, Milne Bay, Eastern Highlands Province, Hela and East Sepik. Thirteen recruits were flown in from Vanimo and Milne Bay and were taken to the Bomana Centre of Excellence we they received their rooms. Six were brought in from Vanimo while the other seven were brought in from Alotau. Joyce Kambei, the only female recruit from Milne Bay, said she is happy that she is amongst the males who had made it through to the college. She said she is ready to do the training and become a policewoman. Commissioner Manning said he is happy with the progress of the recruitment thus far, and expects more recruits to arrive at the college and begin their training. “We have a huge gap in the ratio of policemen to people and expect to gradually close the gap with a consistent recruitment program.” Manning said the RPNGC was only able to begin recruitment again because of the strong commitment of the Government to law and order which has been translated into resource and funding allocation.

Assistant Commissioner of Police [ACP] Anthony Wagambie Jnr said the shooting of the NBC Journalist on Wednesday at the Moitaka Power station will not go unnoticed and police will now be looking into the matter. It is still unclear as to the events that led to the shooting, but it is understood the journalist happened to be in the line of fire between unidentified assailants at the time. “I have received a report of a journalist being wounded by a stray bullet around the 8 mile area while on official duty.” “I have directed Metsupt NCD to have police investigators look into this immediately.” ACP Wagambie Jnr added that police will do their best to establish what had taken place and will be taking appropriate action, expressing concern for the journalist and wishing her a speedy recovery. “Journalists play a very important role in our society.” “Everyone must respect the work of journalists and protect them as they are the voice of the people.”

“We need 26, 000 policemen and women.” “As per advice from the United Nations, it is estimated that at least 26, 000 police personnel are needed to curb crime in the country.” Prime Minister James Marape said this on the floor of parliament today after a meeting the PM had with his Deputy John Rosso and Police Commissioner David Manning this morning. “This morning Commissioner Manning informed me and the Deputy Prime Minister who was also part of this meeting that the United Nations has relayed to us the number of police officers needed in the country to curb lawlessness in the country is about 26, 000.” This is a huge number of officers needed and PM Marape added that given the last time systematic police recruitment took place was in 2008 and the latest was in 2017, there is a huge gap that needs to be filled. “The country has an aging police force that we are working to clean up.” “The first batch of police recruits will commence training now that selection has been completed.”

“Journalists and other media personnel who risk their lives every day in pursuit of the truth, and to inform our citizens, must be respected and protected.” That’s from the Media Council of Papua New Guinea after the injuring of an NBC journalist and a cameraman from a stray bullet fired allegedly during an eviction exercise at 9-Mile outside Port Moresby. The journalist was part of a media contingent on a PNG Power event which took place at the Edevu Hydro Dam and included a tour down to the Moitaka Power Plant where the incident occurred. The stray bullet grazed an NBC cameraman and left the female NBC journalist shot in her right forearm. The MCPNG, commended PNG Power representatives who ensured that an ambulance was arranged to take the injured journalist to the hospital and who covered her treatment. MCPNG further reminded public and corporate organizations that when the media is invited to cover an event into potentially hostile environments, all necessary precautions must be made to ensure their safety. “The Council stands ready to work with the RPNGC and other law enforcement agencies to find ways that the media can be protected, rather than be caught in the crossfire.” “This will take some time and work in sensitizing both the public, and the media, on their equally important roles in the pursuit of truth, information, and awareness.” Meanwhile, the Media Council will also work to provide support to its members to ensure that counselling is available for media personnel who are witnesses in cases such as this.

The Prime Minister James Marape in Parliament today has advised that K12million will be allocated as relief funds for the Mt. Bagana after cabinet approval. PMJM stated that these funds will go towards addressing the first 2-3,000 people that whose lives been affected and displaced by the volcanic eruption. “I want to place on record my sincerest appreciation to President Ishmael Toroama and the leadership in Bougainville for realizing that the past, with the scars remaining but the past is gone. We need to separate a new future going forward.” He stated that there needs to be more collaboration, not only by people to people and Government to Government but more importantly government agencies to agencies. PM Marape added that knowing very well that Disaster relief is parked underneath the PNG Defense Force the Government have tasked the defense force to conduct relief operations. While making this statement, the Prime Minister also acknowledged the ABG Governments support and highlighted that for the first time in several years, the Papua New Guinea Navy has returned to Bougainville, as part of the disaster relief efforts. “They have requested for our Navy to go back and now today our Navy vessel is now about to berth in Bougainville.” A small reconciliation ceremony will be conducted upon its arrival in Buka. Meanwhile, the Prime Minister also thanked the people and the Provincial Government of East New Britain stating that they continue to be a very important interface between Bougainville and Papua New Guinea. Before the Naval Vessel left the Shores of East New Britain for Buin, the people of East New Britain donated food and other items for those affected and for this the Prime Minister is grateful for their support.

The Knights have signed Panthers playmaker Jack Cogger on a three-year deal from the 2024 season. A Central Coast junior, Cogger will return to Newcastle after making his debut for the Knights in 2016. With six seasons of NRL experience and two years playing for Huddersfield in the Super League, the 25-year-old Panther most recently proved his wares as an NRL playmaker after replacing an injured Nathan Cleary for several rounds this season. Meanwhile, the Bulldogs have confirmed the signing of Penrith utility Jaeman Salmon on a two-year deal as the club continues its rebuild under coach Cameron Ciraldo. The 24-year-old, who has played 59 games for the Panthers, will reunite with Bulldogs coach Cameron Ciraldo for the 2024 pre-season. "Jaeman has developed into a highly skilled NRL quality player," Bulldogs General Manager of Football Phil Gould said. "He's been in the best system in the country with the Penrith Panthers and will bring that work ethic, experience and expertise to the Bulldogs in the coming seasons." The news comes a day after the club confirmed the signing of Blake Taaffe also for the next two seasons. Taaffe will join Canterbury in 2024 after 30 appearances for South Sydney since arriving onto the NRL scene three years ago. The utility goalkicker is the second Rabbitohs player in a week to join the Bulldogs after former prop Liam Knight was granted an immediate release to link up with Ciraldo's side. Elsehwere, Titans centre Brian Kelly will remain with the club for another three seasons after signing on to stay on the Gold Coast until the end of 2026. Source:NRL.Com

National Parliament resumed its August sitting and watched as both the former Prime Minister and Ialibu-Pangia MP Peter O’Neill and current Prime Minister James Marape went head to head regarding Law & order concerns raised by O’Neill and others in session. O’Neill during question session quizzed the Prime Minister on what he and his government had in plan to address the Law-and-order issues. He acknowledged that this is a national crisis and that he would undertake a review on the performance of all law enforcement agencies and hold them accountable for not only their performance but also their lack of performance. In his response the Prime Minister James Marape, stated that this is a point of concern and stating that they have put a pulse on what would have happened. He said although that this seems to put a stop to violence this is only a band aid solution, and the real work should be that of strengthening and funding all Law enforcement agencies to be readily equipped and properly funded to address such situations. PM Marape added that there was a lack of investing for many years into this by previous governments, particularly that of O’Neill. “I hate to raise this up, but I have to. The former Prime Minister is part of the problem. Lack of investing systematically in the Law-and-order space for many years over many have led to this,” Marape said. This lit the fire to which the Ialibu-Pangia MP reacted by stating that the Prime Minister should focus on taking ownership of the situation and not to blame the results of violent and dangerous issue on one Member of Parliament. The Prime Minister further responded that for a long time they have been giving lip service to the ministerial services for the last 48 years and that is why for the first time they have done this, adding that it is the process to the long-term solution.

A lot of hard work has turned out fruitful for our men in blue with the arrest of the suspect involved in the Bosavi kidnapping of the 17 schoolgirls, however Police Commissioner David Manning has stated that there are still challenges that officers face in policing remote areas and more to be done. “Despite these obstacles, the Constabulary, in collaboration with sister forces, remains dedicated to their duty and they will prevail.” Commissioner Manning stated that despite the challenges, the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary are actively modernizing their approach to combatting crime. “The Constabulary is proactively modernizing, leveraging smart technologies, and adopting new ways in enhancing the delivery of police services.” He added that as the investigation continues, this arrest brings a sense of relief to the affected communities but at the same time police have issued a warning to anyone involved in criminal activities that those that aid and abet criminals to refrain or face the full brunt of the law. “We are sending a strong message to the criminals and those who aid, abet and benefit from them, that they will be caught and dealt with, sooner or later by whatever force is deemed necessary.”

Prime Minister James Marape and Autonomous Region of Bougainville President, Ishmael Toroama following their Joint Supervisory Body [JSB] meeting with members of the Autonomous Bougainville Government [ABG] and National Ministers have announced the Joint Resolution on the Agenda of the Ratification of the Referendum Results. The JSB has resolved that the pathway to parliament is by way of sessional order and will only be moved when content of the motion is agreed by the National Minister for Bougainville affairs and the ABG Minister for Bougainville Independence Mission Implementation and will be adopted by simple majority. Prime Minister James Marape gave his word to the ABG and the people of Bougainville that the government are willing to stand by the commitments consolidated in the 2001 Bougainville Peace Agreement [BPA] up until today. “For the benefit of our country and for our two people I want to give you my fullest assurance that we stand with every commitment that has been made in the 2001 BPA.” The Prime Minister stated that what’s done is done and the country is now left with picking up the pieces and fulfilling the 2001 BPA. “Melanesian brothers and sisters must find Melanesian solutions to difficult situations.” PM Marape added that a submission will be made to parliament for a special sitting to occur on Wednesday to deliberate this.

The Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary have announced that the manhunt for the major suspect involved in a string of criminal activities in the surroundings of Mt. Bosavi has now ended in the arrest of the suspect. Max Pyakola, a notorious figure in the area has been on the police radar for various crimes, including the kidnapping of the 17 schoolgirls is now in police custody after police apprehended him on the 12th of July. Police Commissioner David Manning stated that Pyakola has been alleged to be the suspect involved in the robbery of K100, 000 in cash, the brutal murder of a foreign national and multiple rape cases. “The man arrested was also allegedly involved in the kidnapping of 17 girls in the Mt Bosavi area.” The Commissioner stated that the police along with the PNG Defence Force were working in collaboration on reports received of his whereabouts and apprehended him in Tari. “He was arrested and a homemade pistol and 5.56 ammunition confiscated.” “Following the arrest, Pyakola was transported to Port Moresby and is now currently detained at the Boroko metro cells.”