PNG Police chief rubbishes Aussie report

Papua New Guinea Police Commissioner Gari Baki has rubbished an Australian media report that PNG officers were involved in various illegal activities, saying it is “a pack of lies”.

“It is utterly irresponsible for the Australian media organisation to publish such a report without even verifying these allegations,” he said.

He said the facts could have been checked with him, the Mamose divisional police command, the Morobe provincial police command or the Lae Metropolitan command.

“I have read these claims as reported by the Australian media and I am deeply concerned (because) they are totally false,” he said. 

“I’m aware the Australian Federal Police Mission Commander in PNG is also deeply concerned by these false claims.” 

The media report said police had taken part took part in an eviction at Butibum village in Morobe.

“There is no record of it ever happening and no one has come forward with any complaint,” he said.

The media report was based on the concerns raised by an Australian Federal Police officer who was based in Lae.

“There is no genocide and the PNG police are not killing its citizens to defend the government. To compare the situation here to West Papua is just absurd and shows the lack of understanding of the officer, the Australian journalist and the Australian media organisation have of PNG.”