Call for B’ville govt to probe foreign vessels

SOUTH Bougainville MP Timothy Masiu has urged the Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG) and authorities to investigate unexplained foreign vessels in Torokina.
Masiu, who is also the Minister for Information and Communication Technology, said the sighting and persistent presence of three foreign vessels around the waters of Torokina in South Bougainville, is causing anxiety, concern and some fear among the village people there.
He called for an immediate explanation from the ABG and the National Maritime Safety Authority, as well as the National Disaster and Emergency Services, as to the reason and purpose of these foreign vessels in their waters.
Masiu suggested that as a matter of critical importance, the PNG Defence Force or the Royal Australian Navy should be engaged to ascertain the mysterious presence of the foreign vessels since last month.
Masiu said according to reports from Torokina villagers, the vessels were first sighted before Christmas and were carrying out both onshore and offshore activities which was causing fear among the people there.
The reports said the vessels would come close to the coast of Torokina at nights looking like floating cities and operate drones as far as Wakunai.
The reports said the vessels would then sail out of sight during the day.
Masiu said the villagers reported that on Saturday, four high-speed crafts went towards Mamarego undercover of darkness.
“The villagers who saw their movements flashed torch lights to contact them said they replied with what looked like laser beam lights,” he said.
Masiu said chiefs from Mamarengo were worried and uncertain and had advised the people to move inland.