Cop gets 35 years for Garden Hills murders

By BEVERLY PETER
A POLICEMAN who shot and killed two men in a Port Moresby settlement has been sentenced to 35 years in jail.
With two years, five months and 11 days spent in custody deducted, Komeng Gubag, of Karkar’s Vakong village in Madang, will now serve a balance of 32 years, six months and 20 days.
The murders of Ivan Nason and Laki Yamo took place at the Garden Hills settlement during the evening of Oct 23, 2021.
Presiding in the National Court, Waigani, yesterday, judge Teresa Berrigan said it was established during trial that the accused was drunk and destroying table markets in the area prior to the killings.
Tendered court documents also showed that Gubag was off duty at the time.
However, when a police vehicle and duty officers arrived at Garden Hills in response to the commotion, Gubag snatched a handgun from one of the officers and chased after a group of men into the settlement.
He then shot Nason in the chest, and then Yamo at close range in the head.
Judge Berrigan said the wilful murder of Yamo was particularly serious.
“The offender (Gubag) struck him down with a deliberate shot to the head, using a dangerous weapon from short distance.
“Yamo had gone to the aid of his uncle (Nason), and was protesting the actions of Gubag.
“Again, the victim was unarmed and defenceless.”
She added that Gubag had demonstrated a strong intention to kill.
“The offence was worse by the fact that it was committed by a police officer,” Berrigan said.
“Whilst not on duty, the offender sworn to serve and protect the law and the community, and his conduct calls for severe sanction.”
Berrigan said it was clear from the trial in Gubag’s statement that he (Gubag) regarded himself as having some authority as a police officer to act above the law, at least when it came to dealing with those living in settlements, whom he generally regarded as “petty criminals”. “There can be no doubt that the offences in this case defame all those policemen and women who serve with honour and distinction in often very challenging circumstances across the country and undermine the public confidence in the constabulary which is so essential to maintaining the rule of law.
“The courts have made it clear that police officers must expect severe consequences when they breach the law,” the judge said.
Gubag will serve his time at the Bomana prison outside Port Moresby.