DCP: Piracy new trend in crime

By CLIFFORD FAIPARIK
ACTING Deputy Comm of Police Donald Yamasombi says piracy is a relatively new crime that has taken the police force by a little surprise to combat in maritime provinces.
“So while we are slowly building up the capacity of our Water Police Unit, I’m appealing to the travelling public along the seas and rivers to take precaution during this festive season,” he said.
“The increasing trend of piracy is worrisome and has taken the force off-guard to combat it.
“The force was more focused on criminal activities on land such as armed robbery, stolen motor vehicles , deadly ethnic clashes etc.
“But now we are realising that sea piracy is also a concern these days.
“So we are incapable to be everywhere and these people (criminals) doing that are opportunists and they are taking the opportunity on the water not on the land.
“It’s an area that we don’t have the ability to address.
“It is a new area on water that we are now trying to build the capacity on.”
Yamasombi said there were fatalities in piracy incidents in the coastal waters of Madang, Morobe, Northern, Milne Bay, East and West New Britain, New Ireland, the Autonomous Region of Bougainville and Manus.
“All that I can say is that such increased piracy incidents are happening on our waters because PNG is a maritime country.
“And unfortunately we are unable to provide policing because we don’t have the maritime capability and capacity in all maritime provinces.
“Yes, we do acknowledge that this area (water police unit) we lack but we will try to build the capacity in due course and expand to all the maritime provinces.
“But in the meantime looking at the trend of the events of unfortunate situations that have happened, my advice to the travelling public is to take care and precautions until such time that we built our capability to address the issue (piracy) out there.
“So travel in groups and travel during the day so that you can take care for each other.
“However, I would discourage the use of other measures (like the use of firearms) to look after yourself as you might face and bring consequences against yourself.”