Ipatas backs agreement

Source: The National, Wednesday August 7th, 2013

 
ENGA Governor Peter Ipatas has backed the asylum seekers’ deal signed with Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, saying PNG stands to gain greatly from it.
“Critics of this deal are ignoring the immediate benefits of the deal, and the opportunities it will open up for Papua New Guinea,” he said.
“Immediately, Manus will get developments projects funded by the Australian and PNG governments, that it would not otherwise get for some time.
“Manus is isolated, and often forgotten, so this deal is providing opportunities that come with hosting the processing centre”
Ipatas said Australia had always stood by PNG when it was in need, so it was right to accept a request from them to help address a growing global problem of human smuggling and illegal migration.

Locals hold up chopper

Highlands Region

Thursday 08th August 2013

KAGUA District in the Southern Highlands Province is now declared a ‘No-Go Zone’ by local helicopter companies.
This followed an attack last week on one of PNG’s own fastest rising helicopter company, Heli Solutions Limited.
Heli Solutions chief executive officer (CEO) Captain Phil Emeck said yesterday from Mt Hagen that the company was currently engaged by PNG Electoral Commission for the LLG election operations in the Highlands region and it was doing its scheduled flights to Kagua and Erave districts when the incident happened. Capt Emeck who was flying one of the companies third Bell 407 helicopter was held up and threatened by heavily armed thugs reportedly under the influence of marijuana at the remote place at Katiloma Bible Mission station last Wednesday. He had stopped to refuel after dropping off an aviation fuel drum there earlier.
The incident happened after he arrived from Sembirigi and Marorogo areas after dropping off polling officials, ballot papers and boxes en-route for Mt Hagen.
He said it was about 1pm when locals numbering about 30, armed with bush knives and homemade guns surrounded him and his lone crew member demanding K10,000 or else they would damage the K7 million aircraft.
Captain Emeck offered the gang K1000 which he had in his pocket but was refused. They ordered Capt Emeck to leave his crew behind, go to Mt Hagen bring back the money in exchange for his crew.
Fearing that his life and that of his crew plus the aircraft was in danger he handed over K5000 which he had brought along for purchase of timber along the Highlands Highway. The group after some resistance took the money and released both men.
Capt Emeck is co-owner of the helicopter company together with fellow Southern Highlander Capt James Pilot. They are both former PNG Defence Force pilots who resigned to start their own aviation company. Capt Emeck described the incident as a ‘frightening and barbaric act’, adding that it is not the first time for culprits in the Kagua area to hijack or attack helicopters and planes.
They have reported the incident to Mendi police but due to its isolated location, police are yet to arrest the culprits involved.

Asylum Seekers Raped, More Harrowing Details Revealed from Manus Island

By Athena Yenko: July 26, 2013 7:40 AM IST

 

Asylum Seekers Raped, More Harrowing Details Revealed from Manus Island (VA Papua New Guinea national detention guard in Manus Island revealed more harrowing details of rape in the men's facility. The guard refused to be named in the fear of losing his job.

His revelation came after whistleblower, Rod St George, spoke of the same hapless condition in the Manus Island facility.In an interview with Fairfax Media, the guard detailed of what he saw inside the facility involving a Pakistani victim who was raped by six Middle Eastern men. "We had to go into the tent and he was there, and it was very bad. There was excrement all over the tent."The guard said that the victim was given medical aid in the camp clinic for two weeks. BUT, the victim was sent back to the same facility where his rapists were roaming freely - something that was hard to understand.According to the guard, there had been documents reporting the incident but there were no further investigations made and the PNG police remained clueless of what had happened.Another rape case in May 2013 had compelled PNG nationals working for G4S to attend to the men's facility where another victim was raped and badly injured. But after that, the PNG nationals seemed still 'unaware' of what's happening.One recent incident involved a brutal attack where a victim was slashed from shoulder to buttocks with a sharp object, "He had to go to the clinic. The cut went from his shoulder down to his buttocks."But again, even with reports already filed, there were no investigations that took place. The guard also revealed that G4S were guilty of exploitation for paying salaries of $40 a day. In an answer to the issue, Immigration Minister Tony Burke said that officials were having a hard time investigating because witnesses and victims were not willing to name the culprits. Mr Burke said, "There are challenges for the police in dealing with an allegation where no complainant has come forward and the only person who it is thought might have been a complainant that has left the country voluntarily some time ago. In an interview with The Age, Mr Burke expressed confidence that current conditions in Manus Island will be improve by the Australian Labor Party's new policy. He said that under the new policy, there will be separation of aggressive detainees from the vulnerable ones. Mr Burke said, "I'm very confident that the accommodation on Manus will be able to keep well and truly in front of any attempts by people smugglers to test our resolve."

Kandep Peace move applauded

News	Tuesday 11th June 2013

A LAE based Engan businessman Mr Kandaso Napi has applauded the positive move by Enga Governor Peter Ipatas and his administration in trying to negotiate peace amongst the warring tribes of the Kandep district.
He has also appreciated the positive gestures made by Treasury Minister Don Polye.
“It is quite reassuring if that is any indication of future political cooperation between our two prominent leaders of the province and the immediate need for their bipartisan approach to end the bloodshed and sufferings of the many innocent people in that district.
Mr Napi, who is an ardent nationalist and one who also concerns himself with the developments and events in his home province, has called on Governor Ipatas and Minister Polye to put their political and personal differences aside and work towards lasting peace for the good of Kandep and Enga as a province.
He said if they had done that one year ago at the start to quell the troubles that flared up after the elections, it would not have gotten out of hand and the deaths could have been avoided.
Mr Napi said supporters of Mr Polye and Alfred Manase had been waging war against each other and described the reports of more than 100 people who have lost their lives as disturbing and unnecessary since most of those poor souls would never have benefitted in one way or another through the winnings of either candidate.
He said in reality, the war belonged to them and if these two educated Kandepians had also shown their true leadership at the beginning, all those innocent lives would have been saved.
He said they must discuss peace through the established Engan customary system of brokering peace and bringing normalcy to the area so that people may go about their daily lives without any hindrance and fear of retaliation.
Mr Napi called on the people of Kandep, especially those groups and individuals whose lives have been affected in one way or another by tribal war to forget and forgive if they want genuine lasting peace.
This self-made businessman who is a strong supporter of local participation in spin-off businesses, envisages a booming Kandep as a border district when the Mendi-Kikori highway opens up in the near future.
He said when this happened, all Engan businesses, including the giant Porgera gold mine and the upcoming Mt Kare gold mine would be using the now upgraded Kandep-Mendi highway and connect with the Mendi-Kikori highway as a short-cut alternative to freight their equipment and materials.
“I reckon the people of Kandep would benefit immensely if they can stop fighting now and prepare to cash in on the opportunities of a lifetime”, he added.

Ipatas beats poll petition

Source: The National, Wednesday July 17th, 2013

By PHILIP KEPSON

 

AN election petition filed against Enga Governor Peter Ipatas by a losing candidate was dismissed by the National Court in Mt Hagen yesterday.
This followed an objection to competency submission by Ipatas’ lawyer Paul Mawa two weeks ago.
Mawa told the court during the objection hearing that the entire petition was “structurally defective” and it should be thrown out as it would not make any improvement if was allowed to proceed to trial.
Justice Salatiel Lenalia said when handing down the decision that petitioner Sandy Talitia, who was the runner-up in the Enga Regional seat race, had failed to plead his allegations of illegal practice including omission of voters’ names and bribery under section 108 and 109 of the Organic Law and National and Provincial Government Elections.
Lenalia said it was not the role of the court to make corrections on defective petitions as election petitions were serious matters that tested the election victory of a leader who was chosen by the majority of the people through a secret ballot.
He added that it was the work of the lawyers of the petitioner to tighten up the material facts of the allegation to convince the court.

Prosecutor: Report on case wrong, misleading

Source:The National, Thursday July 11th, 2013

THE deputy police commissioner operations did not submit the 15-page letter that was tendered in the Mt Hagen District Court on Tuesday, prosecutor John Korowa said yesterday.
The letter was on the delay in serving the court summons on Treasury Minister and Kandep MP Don Polye.
Korowa said part of the report on the case as reported yesterday was wrong and misleading.
He said he submitted a two-page letter from police legal officer, Chief Supt Hodges Ete, on the legal opinion on the case to presiding Magistrate Jeremaiah Singomat as requested by the court.
He said the letter was not written by the deputy police commissioner operations nor did it come from his office as stated in the newspaper.
The case will return to the District Court on Aug 6.
The case came about after a police raid on Polye’s house at Avi Block, Jiwaka, on Oct 4, 2011 and found unlicensed firearms and ammunition in his house

Police top brass told not to meddle with court

Source: The National, Wednesday July 10th, 2013

 

By ELIAS LARI
Western Highlands district magistrate Jeremiah Singomat has called on the police commissioner, his deputy and other senior offices not to interfere with any case before the courts.
Singomat said this yesterday in the Mt Hagen District Court after seeing a 15-page letter from the office of the deputy police commissioner, operations, regarding the delay in serving a court summons to Treasury Minister and Kandep MP Don Polye for alleged possession of firearms.
The letter allegedly asked the court do away with the case but Singomat called on police not to interfere with the case.
“This letter has no author and dates so I do not know why the Police Department is so interested in it,” Singomat said.
“This is my court and my business and not a police matter so I do not want police to interfere with any case before the court.”
Singomat said police could not use such tactics to withdraw the case because once it was registered it became a court matter.
A police team had obtained a summons against Polye after searching one of his homes in Jiwaka on October 4 last year and found firearms and ammunition.
Singomat ordered police investigators Ronny Mitau and Michael Wells to write affidavits and explain why the case was not going ahead.
“The court does not happen that way where police using tactics to make this case go without judgment.”
Singomat said as long as he was in charge the case would go ahead until a judgment was made.
He asked why the summons had not been served on Polye, adding he would not allow police to withdraw the case.
“No man is above the law, including the police and political leaders, and once a case is registered it has to proceed.”

Two killed in league riot

Source: The National, Tuesday July 9th, 2013

TWO men are dead following a Sunday of violence between rugby league fans in Wabag, Enga.
Scenes of chaos erupted before the end of the match between the Enga Mioks and Lae Snax Tigers.
The Snax Tigers bus was burnt and several people were slashed with bush knives, with one reportedly in critical condition in hospital.
Tigers supporters, mostly from Wapenamanda where coach Stanley Tepend hails from, have blocked the Highlands Highway to Enga effectly cutting off Wabag town and the Porgera gold mine.
Air Niugini has cancelled flights into Wapenamanda and the PNG Rugby League have cancelled home games in Enga for the Mioks until an investigation is completed.
Wabag provincial police commander Philip Waliya said a man is in police custody following the fatal slashing of another at the game.
A mobile squad has been called in to monitor the situation.
Enga Governor Peter Ipatas, who was at the game, said the incident was isolated and was instigated by drunk supporters.
He welcomed the suspension of home games but urged that the investigation be carried out swiftly to establish who was at fault.
In a statement, Air Niugini said the suspension took effect yesterday and would remain until further notice.
“Our customers are advised to contact your nearest Air Niugini sales office or preferred travel agents to revalidate your travel arrangement.”
The airline said the situation was beyond its control.
“We will not jeopardise the safety of our passengers, crew and the aircraft.
“Safety is always of paramount importance in the operations of Air Niugini.”
Waliya said the deceased had been identified as a student attending Kompiam High School and who had been temporarily providing security during the intercity cup match at the Aipus rugby ground.
He said the suspect was allegedly under the influence of alcohol and entered the main gate when security guards stopped him.
Waliya said the suspect pulled out a bush knife out and chopped the security guard.
He said a fight broke among relatives and supporters and an old man from Wapenmanda who was providing driving and cooking services for the Snax Tigers was also killed.
Rlatives of the deceased retaliated and set up a roadblock in and out of Wabag.
Waliya said he had sent the police station commander and a mobile unit to assess and contain the situation.
Tigers coach Stanley Tepend is the only member of the Lae franchise who is still in Enga attending to the death and hauskrai while team manger Tim Rodgers and the rest of the team are back in Lae after flying out of Mt Hagen.
The match in Wabag between EPG Enga Mioks and Lae Snax Tigers was 30-6 in favor of the Mioks when the violence erupted and the game had to be called off.
Tepend, when contacted, echoed the stance by PNG National Rugby League general manager Hubert Warupis that what happened outside of the playing field was beyond their control.
Speaking yesterday by phone at the hauskrai of the deceased at Waps village in Enga, Tepend raised concern about the safety of Digicel Cup rugby league players and pointed out the lax security

Talita: Please maintain peace

Source: The National, Tuesday July 9th, 2013

 

By ELIAS LARI
THE people of Enga have been urged not to cause any problems or take the law into their hands as the election petition between Sandy Talita and Governor Peter Ipatas is yet to be finalised.
Petitioner Sandy Talita said in Mt Hagen the matter was before the court, which would determine the outcome.
He said in the meantime the road from Wapenamanda to Wabag would not be disturbed as he was from that electorate.
He said the same would happen when people from Wapenamanda travelled to Wabag.
“Ipatas and I are leaders so we do not want any of you to take this matter and act beyond our control,” he said.
“Maintain peace at all times.
“That goes to Ipatas’ and my supporters.
“We are not encouraging you to use the case to do anything.”
Talita said cooperating and allowing the law to take its course would end problems in a peaceful way.
Talita said what he and Ipatas were doing was for the good of the people and the province.
“I, as your leader, am appealing for peace at this time when the case is before the court,” he said.
“I know you will behave but it would be better if we take extra care and the court case ends in a very peaceful way.”
Talita said Engans had to take ownership of everything and maintain peace as he was exercising his freedom to challenge Ipatas’ election win in court.
“But that does not mean that people have to go and create problems here and there,” he said.
“I want us to maintain peace at this time and be law-abiding citizens.
“We must know that what we do will always paint a picture of our province and the people,” he said

Polye: Enga needs new leadership style

Source: The National, Wednesday 5th June 2013

KANDEP MP Don Polye says Enga needs a new style of leadership to address lawlessness because tribal fights are caused by an “Engan political leadership culture”.
He said in a statement yesterday the province wants a “new style of leadership driven by admiration, result-orientation, modernisation, collectivity, humility, conscientiousness, principles, progression, democracy, respectfulness, professionalism and quality-orientation” to address lawlessness effectively.
“The former, which has decayed our moral standards, is the one that is motivated by jealousy, egoism, militant and pugnacious, narrow-minded, suppressive, belligerent, undemocratic, unadaptive, and destructive mentality.
“Enga needs that change in all sectors and levels of leadership,” he said.
He thanked Governor Peter Ipatas for addressing the much-publicised tribal fight between Akul-Mas-Torom and Kamberip tribes in Marient area of his electorate which started last August after his election victory.
He urged Ipatas to facilitate a meeting between him, lawyer Alfred Manase and other rival candidates as a follow-up to the peace treaty.
He said although there were more than 15 tribal fights in happening in the province using high-powered guns, the fight in his electorate had attracted the attention of the provincial government and others