Soldiers, cops turn Boroko streets into battlefield

News that matter in Papua New Guinea

Soldiers, cops turn Boroko streets into battlefield

PORT MORESBY: Soldiers attacked Boroko police here yesterday (Nov 22, 2021) morning, turning the streets into a battlefield.

Shots were even fired by soldiers but fortunately no one was injured.

Businesses scrambled to pull down their shutters with the public running helter-skelter for cover at 11am.

All businesses in the vicinity of the Boroko police station were disrupted for more than two hours before the situation was calmed by police top guns and military police.

The situation is reportedly still tense.

Police Comm David Manning said the actions by several policemen and Papua New Guinea Defence Force soldiers would be investigated.”

The actions by members of both disciplined forces do not go down well with the public and the country’s image.

“I apologise to the public for the fear and anxiety this incident caused, but I assure that the investigation into the incident is well and truly underway,” he added.

Details of the dramatic soldiers-cop street fight were published by The National:

Cops, soldiers fight in Boroko

November 23, 2021The NationalMain Stories

By MIRIAM ZARRIGA
SOLDIERS attacked Boroko police in Port Moresby yesterday morning, turning the streets into a battlefield.
Shots were even fired by soldiers but fortunately no one, including the public, was injured.
Businesses scrambled to pull down their shutters with the public running helter-skelter for cover at 11am.
All businesses in the vicinity of the police station were disrupted for more than two hours before the situation was calmed by police top guns and military police. The situation is reportedly still tense.
Police Commissioner David Manning said the actions by several policemen and Papua New Guinea Defence Force (PNGDF) soldiers would be investigated.
“The actions by members of both disciplined forces do not go down well with the public and the country’s image,” he said.
“I apologise to the public for the fear and anxiety this incident caused, but assure that the investigation into the incident is well and truly underway.” According to initial police information, the fight involved soldiers based in Taurama and National Capital District policemen at the Boroko police station.
“It was a result of a quarrel between a lone soldier and policemen in the weekend,” Comm Manning said. “Attempts to have the matter resolved failed and was scheduled to be resolved this morning in the police station.
“Unfortunately, while the matter was being addressed by all parties, soldiers attacked a police vehicle, commandeered it and removed weapons from the vehicle.
“They then proceeded to discharge the weapon in public.
“The matter was reported to both police and the military hierarchy which resulted in military police being deployed to help bring the situation under control.
“Both PNGDF and police investigations are now underway to ascertain the facts and appropriate action will be taken under both military and criminal laws to deal with these individuals.”
Deputy chief of PNGDF Commodore Philip Polewara said those involved were being interrogated by the military police. He said they were dealing with their members.
According to video clips circulating, policemen and soldiers were locked in a heated argument in front of the police station.
A few minutes later, a dark blue 10-seater is seen leaving the area with a lone soldier running after the vehicle.
Another video clip showed the soldier on his tummy on the tarmac with confusion and people running away in fear.
In yet another video, the soldier is seen being assaulted by four policemen who kicked his head repeatedly, knocking him unconscious.
They then dragged him away on the tarmac and put him into a police vehicle.
Comm Manning said he was equally disgusted with the actions of the policemen after the soldier had collapsed.
“All videos have been forwarded to my office and I have reviewed them. I am in constant communication with my counterparts in Murray Barracks,” he added.
According to the PNGDF, all personnel are confined to their barracks which is now under lockdown.
Two soldiers are in the custody of police and will be handed over to the military police.

Soldiers attack, disarm cops

November 23, 2021The NationalMain Stories

Police and PNG Defence Force personnel at the Boroko Police station yesterday to resolve the standoff.

NATIONAL Capital District (NCD) and Central commander ACP Anthony Wagambie Jr says the street-fight between soldiers and policemen at the Boroko police station yesterday was sparked by an incident on Saturday.
“The incident involved a lone off-duty Papua New Guinea Defence Force (PNGDF) soldier,” he said.
“An official complaint was lodged by a soldier alleging misconduct by NCD policemen.
“I then directed that the complaint be handled by a commissioned officer to ensure urgency, giving priority to the complaint.
“This morning (yesterday), the soldier turned up at the Boroko police station and was taken to the police station commander (PSC).
“The PSC was helping the soldier to put together his statement when a confrontation erupted between soldiers and a lone police unit.
“The five policemen were outnumbered and disarmed.
“Their weapons and the police issued vehicle was hijacked driven away by the soldiers.
“Soldiers and policemen sustained injuries in the fight.
“No one was shot as widely speculated in the social media.
“A soldier who was left behind was arrested and later handed over to the military police by senior police officers.
“We have met with senior PNGDF senior officers.
“I commend land operations director Lt-Col Aruma, military police director Major Dorpar and all the senior officers who responded swiftly to the incident.
“My officers, men and I were at the station where we met with the PNGDF hierarchy to ensure the situation was contained and under control
“I assure PNGDF members that the complaint registered by a soldier linked to an incident over the weekend is being dealt with.
“I have given directives for the complaint to be transferred from PSC Boroko to Boroko’s Internal Investigation Unit,” he added.
He said the military had a very colourful history which “we are all proud of.
We see the PNGDF as our strength, not only for external security but for internal security back up when the need arises”.
“Therefore, while this is being looked into, I also appeal to the PNGDF leadership to ensure units are kept intact and for necessary action to be taken on those who assaulted and hijacked a police vehicle,” he said.
“Two wrongs do not make a right and as disciplined offices, we must all work within our codes of conduct.
“I want to assure the public, PNGDF and police personnel that the situation is now under control.
“What happened today does not reflect the military as a whole.
“This was an act of individuals who acted alone without the knowledge of their command.”
ACP Wagambie said the police and military must ensure cordial relations to continue for the benefit of the country.

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