Doctor killed in roadside attack

A SENIOR pediatrician at the Angau Memorial Hospital in Lae was “shot at point blank” at a settlement in the city last Saturday.
Lae Metro Supt Anthony Wagambie Jr said Dr Alphonse Rongap (Snr) was shot at the Centre Market between 7.30pm and 8pm as he was dropping off friends.
Centre Market is one of many settlements located along the notorious Back Road area in Lae and known for carjacking and armed holdup.
“As he was turning out from the market to head back towards China Town way, he was set upon by at least five criminals,” Wagambie said.
“He was shot at close range using a homemade gun.
“Another criminal swung a bush knife through the glass on his side and hit him.
“Doctor (Rongap) sustained injuries and was rushed to hospital but could not make it.”
Wagambie said police were immediately dispatched into the area and conducted a raid, resulting in the arrest of a suspect.
Assistant commissioner (Northern region) Peter Guinness condemned the shooting and called on the Centre Market community leaders to surrender the suspects involved in the killing.
Guinness said Rongap was “a very senior doctor” and dedicated most of his life serving the people of Morobe and Lae and did not deserve to be treated in such a manner.
Rongap, 59, from Angoram in East Sepik, was a long-time children’s doctor at Angau.
He was also a PNG Medical Board member.