Cops trade gunfire with rascals

By CLIFFORD FAIPARIK
POLICE believe they killed at least two rascals and injured a few when they caught up with a gang and exchanged fire following a robbery along Charles Abel Highway in Milne Bay last Wednesday.
Provincial police commander Supt Peter Barkie said the gang had robbed a Public Motor Vehicle (PMV) but a shootout later left a lot of blood at their hideout.
“Although the rest escaped into the bush, we believe that more suspects have been killed or seriously wounded as the site where the suspects hid and exchanged gunfire with us was full of blood,” he said.
“We also recovered seven guns and half of the cargo stolen from the PMV along the Alotau-East Cape Road.”
Supt Barkie said the PMV loaded with passengers and goods was returning from Alotau town when held up by armed men at the Palagun Bridge.
“The suspects fired warning shots at the driver and fearing for his life, the driver stopped and the suspects ransacked all the cargo and removed passengers’ valuable items like mobile phones,” he said.
“Some passengers who managed to hide their phones then called police.”
Supt Barkie said police followed the gang up a river and a fierce exchange of gunfire took place up on the hills.
He said the suspects retreated into the mountains but police recovered seven guns and cargo.
“The site was full of blood and it tells us that many were injured or some may have died,” he said.
“Since it was getting late, the police didn’t pursue them and so they returned to town.
“But later in the night, we received information that Palagun youths sighted two bodies further up the creek and when we returned in the morning, we did not find the bodies.
“The bodies might have been retrieved by the suspects.”
Supt Barkie said military training undertaken by police was bearing results.
“Police personnel are now active and confident to encounter armed and dangerous suspects and engaging them in firefights,” he said.
“Three weeks ago, we had a fierce fight with armed suspects at Dewadewa River and killed six suspects. Last Tuesday we had firefight with other suspects and killed two.”