Domestic terrorists have declared war with PNG, says Comm Manning

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Domestic terrorists have declared war with PNG, says Comm Manning

PORT MORESBY: Papua New Guinea (PNG) Police Comm David Manning says domestic terrorists have declared war with the State.

“These are not tour common criminals but are terrorists and will be dealt with as such,” he added.

Comm Manning’s angry response comes after the attack on police and burning down of 13 police houses in Milne Bay’s Alotau on Thursday (April 29, 2021).

 

Here are the full reports as published by The National:

Domestic terrorists declared war with state: Manning

May 3, 2021The NationalMain Stories

Remains of Baker Maeva’s residence, the father of Tommy Baker, following the burning down of the property on Friday.

THE attack on police and burning of 13 police houses in Milne Bay last week is an act of terrorism and will be dealt with swiftly and strongly, says Police Commissioner David Manning.
“These are not your common criminals but are terrorists and will be dealt with as such,” he said adding that the terrorists had declared war on the Independent State of PNG,” Manning said.
“We will bring the full force of the government down hard on these terrorists.
“All resources at our disposal as well as manpower will be committed to hunting them down.
“They can run, but they cannot hide. Their days are numbered,” he said, adding the PNG Defence Force has been called out to help police hunt them.
Manning said he had directed acting deputy commissioner of Police and chief of operations Donald Yamasombi to use all available police resources and manpower to flush out and capture the terrorists.
“Two police mobile squads, including the Air Tactical Unit and Water Police will be deployed.
“They will be joined by additional manpower from the PNG Defence Force.
“They have gone too far and must be stopped. People who are supporting these terrorists must understand that the terrorists are undermining and threatening the national security of PNG and must be stopped,” the commissioner said.
Meanwhile, Alotau MP Charles Abel has asked for the declaration of a state of emergency in the province.
“There are ongoing issues that are violence-related,” Abel said.
“After the unfortunate incident on Friday night, we are looking at the state of emergency option.
“It is being processed by the Government now and I am supporting that option.”
A man was reported dead and others injured, including two police officers, after the exchange of fire with police from Thursday night to early Friday morning.
The gang members were allegedly led by wanted criminals Tommy Maeva Baker and Michael Yawi.
Police managed to secure the town of Alotau after driving out the gang members estimated to be more than 50.
Shops were broken into allegedly by the thugs, hotels were targeted and the Water Police barracks burned down.

Barracks burned down

May 3, 2021The NationalMain Stories

By CLIFFORD FAIPARIK
WANTED criminal Tommy Baker and his gang clashed with police in a nine-hour gun battle on Friday in Alotau, resulting in the burning down of a police barracks.
Milne Bay police commander Superintendent Peter Barkie said it was the second clash between the gang and police within six weeks.
The first was on March 18 which lasted six hours.
A 30-member police team from Port Moresby was sent to Alotau on Friday.
Barkie said it was the second police barracks to be burnt down.
The Misima police barracks went up in flames in February 2019 resulting in the death of a mother and her child.
He said the fighting began around 8pm on Thursday when police responded to reports of a wanted criminal staying at a house at the Niugini settlement.
They were shot at when they arrived.
Barkie said police were outnumbered.
“The gang members then went on an indiscriminate attack on residents and business houses,” he said.
“They were targeting different targets simultaneously which made it hard for us to protect the public.
“Our main focus was on protecting vital assets as we were not able to be everywhere at the same time.”
The IPI police barracks was burnt down forcing out the 13 families living there.
The families are sheltering at the police station.
At around 2.30am on Friday, police conducted foot patrols in the area.
They managed to rescue two policemen who were trapped in the gang’s territory overnight.
Police managed to bring the situation under control on Friday allowing businesses to reopen for the weekend.

Residential houses went up in flames after police raid

May 3, 2021The NationalNational

By FESTUS MAGINAP
SEVEN houses in Alotau’s Bottom Town suburb were burnt down following a raid by members of the police task force in Milne Bay’s provincial capital, Alotau.
According to Bottom Town residents, one of the houses in question belonged to the father of wanted criminal Tommy Baker.
Baker Maeva, Tommy’s father, said the cost of damage to his home was estimated at K800,000.
“I was in touch with him in 2019 asking him to listen to the rule of law, which he declined,” Maeva said. “And that was the last time I was in touch with him. And for them to displace my family by burning down the house is uncalled for.”
He condemned the police action saying neither he nor his family were involved in harbouring his son.
“I condemn the act and those who sanctioned the burning of my property.
“Forty-four years of memories, souvenirs and children’s certificates all went up in flames on Friday afternoon.”
Maeva is a former public servant who had served for 44 years and is awaiting his final entitlements.
Meanwhile, the burning down of the seven homes at Bottom Town’s Garuboi Street followed Thursday night’s looting and the burning down of the police barracks opposite a service station.
Attempts to get a response from Milne Bay police commander Supt Peter Barkie were unsuccessful.