The Commission of Inquiry into the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary, chaired by Justice Elenias Batari and assisted by former Public Prosecutor and lead investigator Mr. Pondros Kaluwin, delved deeper into the January 10, 2024 protest during its eighth day of hearings on Friday, August 2nd. The inquiry focuses on uncovering the circumstances surrounding the protest by police personnel at Unagi Oval, including whether top police officials had prior knowledge of the event and the underlying causes of the unrest. On January 10, 2024, a significant protest occurred involving members of the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary (RPNGC) at Unagi Oval. The inquiry aims to determine if the protest was sparked by a salary glitch and whether it was prompted by official directives. It will also explore the involvement of the Human Resources Division and the Police Association, and whether they were aware of the potential impact of salary adjustments. Deputy Commissioner of Police – Special Operations, Donald Yamasombi, who was acting in his role on that day, provided detailed testimony during the second part of the inquiry on Friday, August 2nd. Yamasombi explained that he first became aware of the protest from intelligence reports around 9 a.m. on January 10. The reports indicated that police officers were gathering at Unagi Oval to protest salary cuts. Yamasombi described how he responded to the situation by sending intelligence officers to investigate the protest further. He learned that many officers, some in uniform and others in police vehicles, were demanding explanations for the pay cuts. This led Yamasombi to consulting with the acting police commissioner, Dr. Philip Mitna, and the police minister, as the Police Commissioner, David Manning, was on leave. When the situation escalated, with officers moving towards the parliament and Manasupe House, Yamasombi attempted to address the crowd but faced resistance. Stones, sticks, and bottles were thrown at him, leading him to withdraw and seek additional security support. He arranged for the Special Services Division (SSD) Mobile Squads to be deployed to Manasupe House to secure the building, as the crowd had started to burn vehicles outside. Yamasombi noted that by the time he returned to Unagi Oval later in the day, the crowd had largely dispersed. He found only a few officers remaining at the location. Recognizing the need to restore order, Yamasombi coordinated with the divisional commander for NCD/Central, Mr. Anthony Wagambi, to ensure a police presence in the city's suburbs to manage the ongoing unrest, which included looting and riots. The Commission's investigation seeks to address several critical questions. It will explore whether the protest was conducted following legal processes for industrial disputes and whether top management within the RPNGC was aware of the protest beforehand. Additionally, the inquiry aims to identify any individuals or groups who may have incited or planned the unrest and to assess the effectiveness of the measures taken by police management to prevent the protest. The Commission will also evaluate the responses and actions of the police force during the unrest, including the administrative and potential legal actions against those involved. The findings will be crucial in understanding the root causes of the protest and determining appropriate measures to address any lapses in management or operational procedures within the RPNGC. As the inquiry continues, it aims to provide a comprehensive account of the events of January 10 and ensure accountability for those involved in the planning, execution, and management of the protest and subsequent unrest.