Call for inquiry after police officer killed
12 May 2020
NEWS DESK
| Pacific Media Watch | Edited extract
AUCKLAND - Former Papua New Guinea Defence Force commander Jerry Singirok has condemned the killing of senior police officer Andrew Tovere, allegedly by off-duty soldiers.
“As the duly appointed secretary-general of PNG Flag Officers’ League, on behalf of the former commanders PNGDF, we condemn the killing of a senior police officer,” he stated on social media.
“We call on the government of the day to step up the control of the PNGDF as we have noted a serious decline in morale and discipline.
“We call for an independent inquiry [into] the command and control of the PNGDF, including aspects of fair recruitment and management of public funds.
“Failing that, we can never recover from the current quagmire.”
PNG currently has at state of emergency in place with 18 positive cases of Covid-19 reported but no deaths. However, authorities do not know if there is any community spread and the method of testing is being changed.
A report from acting assistant police commissioner of police Anthony Wagambie Jr said he did not foresee any more trouble between the two disciplinary forces.
He said one defence force sergeant had been identified by military police.
“Others will be identified, if any. The officer is on the run and will be brought in by MP [military police],” he said.
“[The] situation from our end is now quiet. All units have been contained and back to normal duties.”
RNZ Pacific also reports that PNG police had reported calm although tension still remained.
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