Brutal killing

 By JEFFREY ELAPA

FOUR Chinese nationals were stabbed to death in a Port Moresby shop on Monday evening.

NCD metropolitan commander Supt Andy Bawa, who was at the scene of the crime later, said the victims – three men and one women –  received knife wounds all over their bodies. 

The attack happened at a shop they were operating at about 7pm near the Koki market.

Eight people, all employees of the shop, were detained for questioning but police had no immediate leads and were appealing to the public to come forward with any information they might have.

Prime Minister Peter O’Neill last night condemned the attack as “brutal and cowardly”.

“I have been assured by the police commissioner that no resource will be spared to ensure that the perpetrators of this heinous crime be found and brought to face the full force of the law,” O’Neill said

The prime minister called on the business community, especially those of Chinese and Asian origin, to remain calm and continue business as usual.

Bawa said: “Knives were used to attack the victims and there were many knife wounds to their bodies.” 

A look around the premises by The National indicated that the premises was well-secured with high fences and razor wire.

Bawa said according to eyewitnesses, the unknown perpetrators jumped over the fence and onto the roof to enter the premises.

He said the names of the four were withheld until confirmed with their relatives and friends but believed that all four were relatives – the owner of Pooma Industries, his wife and two others. 

The four, all in their 50s, were said to have lived in the country for almost eight years.

An undisclosed amount of money was alleged to have been stolen from the cash register as well, Bawa said.

He described the killing as “senseless, inhuman and barbaric”.

“There have been a number of killings in the past, particularly of people from the Asian origin, but this is worse because there were four deaths. 

“I also want to assure the relatives, friends and international community that no stone will be left unturned as police will do its best and use its resources to bring those responsible to justice,” Bawa said.

He said the bodies were taken to the Port Moresby General Hospital but were later transferred to the Dove Funeral Home at Taurama.

Moresby South MP Justin Tkatchenko also condemned the killing.

“The brutal killing of the foreigners for unknown reasons is a disgrace, shocking and totally unacceptable.

“I am ashamed of what has happened on Monday night … they were killed like animals.

“This should not be treated lightly,” he said.

He has volunteered to work with the police to apprehend the murder suspects and appealed to the Moresby South community to cooperate and not to take the law into their own hands.