The suspect behind the murder of a police officer in Tari last month has been arrested and flown into Port Moresby city yesterday. Acting Commissioner of Police Donald Yamasombi said he was flown into Port Moresby for his own safety and will face the court here once he is charged. “I commend community leaders in Hela Province for their relentless efforts which led to the suspect voluntarily surrendering himself to PPC Hela Senior Inspector Robin Bore who also took the initiative of escorting the suspect into the capital,” said Acting Commissioner Yamasombi. The murder weapon, a pistol, was also brought to Port Moresby to be used as an exhibit in court. The slain policeman, late Constable George Lapon of Utupia village in Poroma, Southern Highlands Province, was attached to Mobile Squad 9 based in Hela Province when he was gunned down on December 20th, 2024, prompting a manhunt by police and soldiers deployed in the region. “I must applaud the community in Hela for their commitment and generosity, which led to the successful apprehension of the suspect involved in late Senior Constable Lapon’s murder,” said Yamasombi. Yamasombi, who is acting in Commissioner Manning's absence, said the constabulary will not disclose the suspect's name until he is officially charged. He also commended the police, soldiers, and the Hela community for working together, which led to the arrest of the suspect. Prime Minister James Marape also commended the Hela community for their cooperation in assisting police to apprehend the suspect, describing the community’s efforts as a powerful example of how citizens and law enforcement can work together to uphold justice, while also urging all Papua New Guineans to refrain from taking the law into their own hands. “I commend the people of Hela for not harbouring a criminal and for assisting police in bringing the suspect to justice. This reflects the growing maturity of our communities, showing that we do not tolerate violence, especially against officers of the law,” said Prime Minister Marape.