BOSAVI LOCALS WANT SAFE RELEASE OF HOSTAGES

The Mt Bosavi region is located bordering Gulf, Western, Southern Highlands and Hela provinces. The Mt. Bosavi Region encompasses about two million acres of virgin rainforest. where the indigenous residents of the region’s widely scattered amongst 28 villages. Usually in seclusion and away from public eye, the area has now become the centre of widespread attention; both local and international following the recent abduction of a research group days ago. Locals in the Mt Bosavi Region living around the area where the hostages were being held are also attempting to communicate with the kidnappers to release the hostages. That's according to Mr Andrew Awabi, Chairman for Mt Bosavi Sustainable Agriculture Development Initiative in an interview with PNG HAUSBUNG. Awabi further stated that locals in Bosavi are not only communicating for the release but are also safe guarding the hostages by making their presence known around the area. "The area where the hostages are held is in Fogo’Maiyu an isolated village at the border of Western Province, Gulf and Southern Highlands Province." “People of Bosavi living at Fogo’Maiyu have pleaded for the release but the kidnappers said they wanted K3.4million from the PNG Government before they do so.” said Awabi. Locals also claim there are about 21 men with high powered guns watching over the hostages while waiting for a response from the PNG Government. Mr Awabi said, “We want the relevant authorities to send in Police and PNG Defence to help bring these hostages to safety because these hostages are under heavy gun watch.” “Bosavi People are peace loving people and this incident is shocking to the people of Bosavi Region.” Mr Awabi further stressed that the people of Bosavi are willing to help authorities locate the hostages. "With no road access into Bosavi Region, the only possible way is via chopper or by foot if the authorities want to walk." He highlighted that the authorities will need to come to Mt Bosavi station and from there the locals can assist to direct authorities to Fogo’Maiyu where these hostages are believed to be held. Awabi added, "The people of Bosavi want to sincerely apologise to the families of the hostages and the entire country about what is currently happing in their area, stating that it is a first of a kind incident and they can only wish that the hostages return safe to their families by God’s will."

Earlier this week, the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary (RPNGC) Police Commissioner David Manning said he has been updated by Deputy Commissioner and Chief of Police Operations, Dr Philip Mitna, on negotiations to secure the release of the people that have been taken captive, with police authorised to use all necessary force to free those being held.

He was responding to confirmed reports of people being detained by armed criminals in the vicinity of Fogoma’iu Village, Southern Highlands province.

Commissioner Manning said, “I have been briefed on the situation in which one foreign national and three PNG university students are being held by criminals in the border region of Southern Highlands, Hela and Western Provinces."

“This is a delicate situation and police, in coordination with other security elements, are engaged in an operation to enable the safe release of the people involved. This is a remote area and air support has been approved.”