Pokop glad to be free after two-year ordeal

A SENIOR Port Moresby-based police officer is relieved that he has been acquitted by the Waigani National Court of a murder charge.
Sergeant Philip Pokop, from Manus, said he was the first suspect to be arrested for the murder of the man two years ago.
His family had been distraught and disturbed over the matter since.
“It’s a big relief for us. So much publicity on this case ended today,” Pokop said.
“So the public needs to know the decision of this case.
“Every time people read about Sergeant Philip Pokop, and today the case and that negative view against me has come to an end.
“There was no evidence against me and the other officers.
“That’s why the case was dismissed.
“It’s a big relief for us, because it really affected us as a family.”
Pokop said he would be raising some issues with the police hierarchy in relation to the case.
“I will be raising with the office of the police commissioner the manner in which the case was investigated,” Pokop said.
“I see the case as a fabricated case against me and it proved so today in the decision of the court. It’s a result of poor investigation.
“Now that the case has been dismissed, we will be instructing our lawyers to go ahead with Section 5, for damages and every negative perspective we have endured for more than two years.”