Dad found but search continues for mum, baby

By PETER WARI
RELATIVES have found the body of the father who was buried alive with his wife and two daughters in a landslide during last month’s earthquake.
They dug out the body of Peter Hapon on Monday afternoon, two days after finding daughter Jerolyne Peter’s body at Muinz village in Mendi-Munihu district, Southern Highlands.
Still missing are mother Louis Peter and eight-month-old daughter Senis Peter. Southern Highlands police commander Chief Supt Joseph Tondop confirmed that the two bodies had been found.
The sole survivor Jerina Peter, 12, was thrown clear by her dad before the landslide buried the family.
Jerina, whose school fees will be paid by the district administration until she turns 21, was at school when informed that her sister’s and dad’s bodies had been found.
Relative Foster Hungi said the bodies had not decomposed.
“It is now almost a month but the bodies were not decomposed. All youths in the village are now trying to find the bodies of the mother and daughter,” he said.
The villagers have started erecting a monument at the site near where the family were buried.
“We need assistance for coffins, materials for the monument and to support the youths search the other two bodies,” Hungi said.
“We haven’t received any assistance from the national and provincial disaster officer and we are confused who will help us.”