Sanctuary Hotel Pang’s alleged ‘thug’ manhandled photographer

News that matter in Papua New Guinea

Sanctuary Hotel Pang’s alleged ‘thug’ manhandled photographer

PORT MORESBY: ACP (Special Operations) Donald Yamasombi says the public must respect all who are doing their job, be it in the private or public sectors.

“Those who have been prevented from carrying out their duties can lodge poice reports for us to investigate and take appropriate actions,” he added.

Commenting on a police report lodged by The National reporter Sylvester Wemuru yesterday, ACP Yamasombi said he was upset with the incident at the Boroko district court.

Wemuru reported that photographer Kennedy Bani was manhandled and threatened by a group of men outside the court on Friday (Dec0, 2021).

The group, believed to be supporters of Sanctuary Hotel operations manager Jamie Pang, prevented Bani from taking shots of Pang being escorted by policemen.

Meanwhile, the court on Friday refused to hear Pang’s application for bail because it must be filed three clear days before the hearing.

Details of the news break were reported by The National:

Pang’s alleged ‘thug’ manhandled photographer

December 13, 2021The NationalNational

Donald Yamasombi

Assistant Commissioner for Police (special operations) Donald Yamasombi says the public must respect all who are doing their job, be it in the private or public sectors.
“Those who have been prevented from carrying out their duties can lodge reports for us to investigate and take appropriate actions,” he added.
Commenting on a police report lodged by The National reporter Sylvester Wemuru yesterday, ACP Yamasombi said he was upset with the incident at the Boroko district court.
Wemuru reported that photographer Kennedy Bani was manhandled and threatened by a group of men outside the court on Friday.
The group, believed to be supporters of Sanctuary Hotel operations manager Jamie Pang, prevented Bani from taking shots of Pang being escorted by policemen.
Pang, 43, from Sydney, was charged with two counts under the Dangerous Drug Act 1951 by the police and was brought to court for bail hearing.
Yamasombi advised the photographer to lay a formal complaint.
The group confronted Bani and held his hand tightly when he took out his camera to take pictures as the police van was entering the court compound.
One of the men in the group who confronted Bani said “Do not take Jamie’s photo, he (Jamie) is a good person, you wouldn’t know unless you’re a close acquaintance”, and held his hand tightly, preventing him from taking pictures.
The group then followed Bani to the Boroko police station car park to confirm that he had not taken any photos of Pang. Those who followed Jamie when he was transported to Boroko police station were all locals from different provinces.
When they saw Bani at the car park about to leave for his office, they walked towards the vehicle, ordered him to confirm to them that no photographs were taken.
Bani confirmed that no photos were taken.

Hearing for bail refused

December 13, 2021The NationalMain Stories

By SYLVESTER WEMURU
THE Boroko district court on Friday refused to hear Sanctuary Hotel operations manager Jamie Pang’s application for bail because it must be filed three clear days before the hearing.
Magistrate Garry Unjo told Pang’s counsel that the bail application must be filed three clear days before the hearing day and not the same day as required by law.
Police prosecutor Sgt Holland also told the court that she had not received a copy of the bail application from the lawyer.
Sgt Holland asked the court to adjourn the bail application to today and the lawyer agreed.
Pang is facing two counts of charges under the PNG (DDA) Dangerous Drug Act 1951.
He had, on Nov 19, pleaded guilty to 11 counts, under the Firearms Act, three for possession of firearms without licence, two for possession of firearms and six charges for possession of ammunition for which sentencing will be on a later date.
The court also ordered that Pang be remanded in custody after he pleaded not guilty to both of his charges on Thursday.
Pang, 43, from Sydney, was charged with two counts of having in his possession drug and making drug on Dec 7.
On Nov 16, at about 6.30am, Pang was in his residence in the hotel when police and Customs officers, in a joint special operation called “Saki Bomb”, raided the hotel with a search warrant.
The team arrived at the hotel car park and identified Pang there where he was served with the search warrant.
He then accompanied the officers and found a mini clandestine laboratory used to produce dangerous drugs like Methamphetamine (meth).
The production was still in progress and Pang allegedly admitted that the dangerous drug producing laboratory inside the room and everything was his.
He said the team then cordoned off the room and called for drug experts from the police forensic team to investigate.
The search team found and seized four firearms in a black guitar bag and red cloth under a bed.
They also found 150g of white substance in a shipping container that was used as a tools and equipment storage shed. The white substance was concealed inside a clear plastic and placed in a white motorcycle helmet.