The Enga Provincial Police Commander (PPC), Superintendent George Kakas has spoken up about the recent media coverage of the Wapanamanda Area, stating that the reports that were circulated on media on Tuesday raised concerns about how the incident was reported.
PPC Kakas stated that although he appreciated the media’s effort to report and disseminate information for wider consumption and criticism by the general public, he stressed that information that goes out must be facts.
“I’m a bit concerned. On Wednesday, there was a newspaper front page article that came out quoting me and stating that I was undermanned, I needed more manpower, I needed more support. I would like to dispute that. I never said those words.
He stated that yes, it is a struggle that police is facing to contain the issue but maintained that he never stated that the police in Enga Province needed men and support.
Kakas mentioned that they are getting a lot of support from the Provincial Government, in terms of fuel and rations and support from troops from the 1st Pacific Islands Regiment from the Bravo Company of PNG Defense Force with 120 men and two mobile squads on the Ground.