Accused trio in doctor’s slaying appear in court

THE Lae District Court has refused bail for three men allegedly involved in the killing of Angau Memorial Hospital paediatrician Dr Alphonse Rongap Sr.
Rongap, 59, from Angoram, East Sepik, a long-time children’s doctor in Lae, was shot by a group of criminals on June 25 as he drove to the Back Road area to drop off a friend.
Magistrate Jeremiah Singomat told the trio who appeared for mention on Friday that the district court had no jurisdiction to grant them bail because their case was serious.
Byron Mark, 23, of Northern and East New Britain parentage, Maliak Tetak, 21, of Bugang village in Bukawa, Morobe, and Kamoping Quilling, 25, of Kuluntufu village in Finschhafen, Morobe, were charged with the wilful murder of Rongap.
The magistrate told the accused that if they wanted bail, they would have to make an application through a lawyer in the national court.
“Only a judge has the power to grant you bail but in the meantime, you will be remanded until your next appearance,” he said.
Singomat told the trio that police were still conducting investigations into their case.
After their hearing, the three were taken to a waiting van under heavy police and Correctional Services escort before being driven back to Buimo Prison where they were remanded.
Their case was adjourned to next Friday.