The discussion began when a member of a Facebook group - East New Britain Today and Tomorrow - spotted the post in another Facebook group - PNG News - and shared the post in East New Britain Today and Tomorrow on July 18th 2015. The post and subsequent discussion (comments) appear here in italics with very minor editions for consistency in presentation. I have also omitted some names in respect for others' privacy regardless.
ELDERLY WOMAN ALLEGEDLY SLAPPED AND KICKED BY TOP COP IN EAST NEW BRITAIN PROVINCE
Another case of police brutality is believed to have occurred, this time, in Manapki Ward, Inland Baining LLG, Gazelle Distric, ENBP where a total of 6 houses are believed to have been burnt down and cash crops destroyed on Thursday the 9th July.
The reported allegation has it that 'on Thursday the 9th of July Kerevat Police Station Commander with one of his officers under the influence of alcohol went on a rampage at Manapki Ward, Inland Baining LLG, Gazelle District, ENB where 6 houses were burnt down and the victims were even prevented from removing their properties'.
"An elderly woman was slapped and kicked by the top cop", a source alleged.
The 'top cop' who allegedly 'slapped and kicked' the elderly women, and who also allegedly "even hit her with the butt of the gun" during the incident, has been identified as Rookie Moore (not his real name) the Kerevat Police Station Commander. Another police officer allegedly present at the scene at the time has been identified as Poke Spam (not his real name).
The incident on Thursday is believed to have started over from an argument on Wednesday evening by two youths.
More than a week later the affected families are believed to be still without proper shelter and are suffering whilst it is understood that the 'top cop' ... aided by his officer ... 'and others' have not yet been detained for questioning by other police personnel over the alleged incident.
"The pictures show the scene of destruction which was done by the two policemen and others who accompanied them. Th families are now literally empty and without hope. "the source also said.
A total of 28 pictures - such as pictures of blackened burnt house stumps, fire warped corrugated iron, chopped and also fire damaged cocoa trees, chopped down bananas and betel nut trees at the site of the incident in Manapki Ward - has been received by PNG News.
It is hoped that the member of parliament for Gazelle Open, Hon. Malakai Tabar can personally investigate the incident in order to help the families in need and ensure that the police officers and others allegedly involved in the incident are immediately detained for questioning; and based on evidence including statements by the victims are immediately charged.
Meanwhile, a mediation was held today which was attended by an estimated 60 to 70 people whereby the victims reportedly were publicly advised not to talk about the burnt down houses.
The report continues with an interview but it is not stated whether it was done face to face or over telephone.
Interview
Me: Who advised them not to talk about it?
Source: The advice not to talk about the burnt down houses were given by the top cop himself Mr Rookie Moore.
Me: What actually happened at the mediation? Did this top cop offer to pay for damages? How many people were present during the mediation?
Source: At the scene during the burning down of the houses the ward member was also giving directives..... Today's mediation the charge was one sided which was aided by the PSC's public statement as i have informed you. The crowd estimated was between 60/70 people and there was no talk of compensation for the burnt down houses and charge was one sided. The victims were beaten, unlawfully detained without charge and detained for 10 days, their houses burnt and now through this mediation today were charged 6 thousand kina.
The source went on to describe the environment in East New Britain as very frightening.
Me: So the police were not present when the houses were burnt down?
Source: It was done under police full presence who were drunk and barking out orders. Yes, police were present.
Me: Thank you.
That is the report of the incident and soon after it was shared comments began appearing. The comments are listed in sequence as they were written. I have not made any corrections in spelling or grammar. I have ommited names of people alleged to be perpertrators as well as the names of the people who commented. The comments are both in English and Tok Pisin
Comments.
1. Action time.
2. Mr llg president,.? action please brother
3. ???? Sorry l ol baining blood blo yumi...
4. ????
5. This can't be happening. Action please.
6. J.S
7. J.S is drunk half the time.
8. sori stret! mi ting senisim pasin pinis taim yumi makim ol people...oiyo!
9. How can this be happening in ENB, to an already deprived person, very old and defenceless old folk...
10. Investigations need to be carried out asap. How can you take away someones shelter and his/her only form of income. Sori ya.
11. Sori stret...name of top cop?
12. ...the name of the top cop in the top paragraphs.
13. Yeah sorry just read through it again and realised the name was there thx
14. ...good morning , inbox me please.
15. Good morning Minister Tabar. Right away Sir.
16. I am going to check myself and see the families affected. Total abuse of human rights. I am calling on leaders to work with usto end this nonsense.
17. True, right away.Mi bel sore stret.
18. Sorry tru long ol laen blong yumi long Baining.
19. Im going there now travelling Toma out. Need some help from you the Human rights defenders now. Action.
20. ....Justice please.
21. Thanks Mr Malakai Tabar for getting on board.
22. Is the PPC aware of this? If so,he should take drastic action now.
23. Em tasol now. Action.
24. This is yet another sad news for ENB. Anyway, it happened and we pray and hope that justice will prevaileventually.
25. So sorry for the families who lost their houses and valuables. I live and grew up with Baining people and i know they are not that bad. These culprits should be investigated and let justice prevail. They dont deserve such treatment. I am currently working with a doctor who is from Baining and he is Paediatrician from Raunsepna. So noken ting ol bai stap olsem tasol.
26. PPC Wagambie and MP Tabar please get together and peacefully sort this out. Those that have acted outside of the law must answer for their actions.
27. How can a top cop do this? He must be held responsible and be charged accordingly after facts have been established. Hope he does not get away with his actions. Bainings are the original landowners and should be accorded high respect.
28. PPC do something please. In your hands.
29. Is this the role and function of PNG police? What happened? ENB is more like what takes place in a Police State or Dictatorship regimes. Please sortthistype of brutality.
30. Anthony Wagambie please confirm and verify.
31. Good night everyone. Just got this. Let me find out the facts. Thank you.
32. Thank you PPC. Into your good hands.
33. Sad news. How come the news is from an ouside source?It seems we do not know what goes on in our society. Thanks Bapi Patrick for sharing this.
34. This is serious as shown in the photographs.My question is, how did the argument between the two youths relate to the burning of houses and slapping of an elderly woman by the police? Who's side were the Policemen on? Why was the ward member...giving direction and assisting with the raid? Why were these houses burnt down? What made the policemen to do what they did? Kindly shed some light on the root cause of this situation.
35. Correction, these are not Bainings. This area is in the Bainings but is vested with illegal settlers who have in their possesions illegal firearms which they use to threaten the Bainings.They cultivate large amounts of marijuana and sell in Kerevat, Kokopo and Rabaul.It hasbeen a safe haven for escapees and criminals from WNB. The Bainings have been negatively impacted by thesesetllements and no longer enjoy hunting in their bushes and rivers for fear of their lives. They are the reasons why the Bainings have registered their land and are asking government to ship them back to their place of originto giveway for theBainings to add economic value to their land. Above serious report has to be properly varified because police was at the scene and apprehended a...who is believed to have come in from Kimbe with the culprits who have been terrorising our province recently with as tring of holdups.
36. Thanks EK for the clarification...but should there be a proper approach by police cos what was reported they were under liqour.
37. Thanks bro. I understand where you are coming from. My issue is innocent victims like mothers and children who get caught up in situations like these. I respect the laws and the good of society but we have a responsibility as well to protect the vulnerable.
38. Thank you....for the clarification. I am now compelled to remark ruthlessly that let us help the police to quickly get rid of these illegal settlers who engage in illegal activities.
39. East New Britain people are peaceful people. Its alarming to hear of such rouge behaviour and even more of aconcern now that the law enforces are causing destruction and instilling dictative authority on our people.
ENBTT please investigate and bring back peace into the village.
40. I feel for those affected, but did PNG News bother to contact police here to confirm reports prior to publishing this story? This report should be fair. It does not actually investigate how the event unfolded and intentionally avoids the story of how the police were there in the first place.
41. I am starting to think that there is a big conspiracy by sinister entities to spoil the good name of this province.
42. I woudnt be surprised if that were true....
43. If there is a conspiracy, then it is important to establish links between these illegal settlers and the sinister entities and find ways to deter their activities. That is if there is any substance in the "conspiracy theory".
The above are the 43 comments so far, however discussion continues and will update this post later as to the outcome of the Minister's invovement and police investigation. Comments number 34 and 35 raise important questions and shed light to the issue respectively. Comment number 34 raised the following questions:
- How did the argument between the two youths relate to the burning of houses and slapping of an elderly woman by the police?
- Who's side were the Policemen on?
- Why was the ward member giving direction and assisting with the raid?
- Why were these houses burnt down?
- What made the policemen to do what they did?
- Kindly shed some light on the root cause of this situation.
Comment number 35 is in response to the above questions:
- Correction, these are not Bainings. This area is in the Bainings but is vested with illegal settlers who have in their possesions illegal firearms which they use to threaten the Bainings.They cultivate large amounts of marijuana and sell in Kerevat, Kokopo and Rabaul.It has been a safe haven for escapees and criminals from WNB. The Bainings have been negatively impacted by these setllements and no longer enjoy hunting in their bushes and rivers for fear of their lives. They (illegal settlers) are the reasons why the Bainings have registered their land and are asking government to ship them back to their place of origin to give way for the Bainings to add economic value to their land. Above serious report has to be properly varified because police was at the scene and apprehended a man who is believed to have come in from Kimbe with the culprits who have been terrorising our province recently with a string of holdups.
What eventuated immediately after the destruction of the illegal settlement is worth noting here. Soon after this incident the police in ENB set up a special operation covering a wider area including Kokopo and Rabaul resulting in a number of arrests and identification of gangs operating in Rabaul and Kokopo. Most of those harboring the criminals have also been identified.
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