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By SHEILA LASIBORI
PAPUA New Guinea is among 13 countries with high rate of violence, with
most of the aggression being committed with guns
Assistant police commissioner of crimes Raphael Huafolo revealed this
last Friday in Lae, Morobe province, during his presentation on “PNG’s
gun problem”.
He said although actions of violence also took place in other Pacific
Island countries like Solomon Islands, Fiji and Vanuatu, PNG was still
higher and made up the 13 countries with high crime rate.
Mr Huafolo did not provide any statistics or state whether the rating
came from some study.
However, he pointed out that illicit drug also contributed to the
violence and more guns were being found in communities after they were
sourced from the three disciplinary forces.
Mr Huafolo said guns were also smuggled through the two international
borders in Western province and Sandaun province.
He said that Australia “did not want to admit” that guns were also
smuggled from its side of the border into the country.
“Illegal firearms were a major problem of concern like HIV/AIDS and
corruption,” Mr Huafolo said.
As a result, he said, the National Government and appropriate agencies
needed to enact the legislation on guns with tougher penalties.
He said the Firearms Act needed to also impose tougher penalties, as he
acknowledged the efforts of United Nations (UN) in many areas to deal
with firearms.
The UN also assisted with the Bougainville crisis.
Mr Huafolo has called for the adoption of the programme of action to
prevent, combat and eradicates small arms or, light weapon..
“Illegal gun problem is the problem we are dealing with … the cause of
crimes and violence,” Mr Huafolo said.
With border security, Police Commissioner Gari Baki told The National
plans were in place to station police officers, especially units of the
mobile squad (MS), at the two borders.
These units will rotate on a three-week basis to monitor illegal
activities at the borders.
 
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