Bishop: Parinjo’s killers must surrender

By ROSELYN ELLISON
A CHURCH leader has called on the people who killed Wewak police commander Charles Parinjo to give themselves up and say sorry to God and the people.
Bishop of the Wewak diocese, Anthony Burgess, was the main celebrant at the funeral service at St Mary’s Catholic Cathedral, Wirui parish on Saturday.
Bishop Anthony told the people that Papua New Guinea had always been known as a Christian country.
But he said this perception had changed, with some people having no respect for human life.
 “We must respect those who contribute to do good things in the community,” Bishop Anthony said.
He urged those who involved in the killing of Parinjo to come forward and say sorry to God and the people of East Sepik.
“They must accept Jesus Christ as their personal saviour,” he said.
Parinjo, 40, was killed on Feb 25 when he confronted a drunken mob blocking traffic.
He was on his way home to Boikin.
Governor Peter Wararu, deputy divisional commander Momase region Supt Leo Lamei, assistant commissioner Jim Andrews, Parinjo’s relatives and friends were at Boram airport on Friday to receive his casket.
Government offices, schools, private businesses and the Wewak main market were closed for a half a day. Shopping centres were closed on Saturday to show their respect.
Wararu has condemned the killing and said government would fully support the police force in their investigation.
Parinjo was buried on Sunday at his Boiken village on the west coast of Wewak.
He is survived by wife Rose and three children.