Holding people hostage is terrorism: Undialu

HOLDING people hostage and demanding ransom is an act of terrorism which must be dealt with accordingly, says Hela Governor Philip Undialu.
Undialu said no one had any right to abduct, kidnap, hold hostage anyone and ask for cash.
“This is an act of terrorism that we have heard of in other countries. Now it is happening here,” he said.
“Law enforcement agencies must take this seriously and deal with this hostage situation appropriately.”
An Australian anthropology professor was among seven people taken hostage for ransom by a group of armed men near Mt Bosavi on the border of Southern Highlands, Hela and Western.
They included a female staff of the National Museum, a member of the Woman Leader Network, and an anthropologist graduate of the University of PNG working with the anthropology professor and four local guides.
The incident happened on Sunday morning at Fogomaiyu Village – a two-day walk from Hela’s Komo district.
There is no communication network.
Undialu said the only communication access was through the missionary base at Bosavi which used a satellite phone.
Undialu has also asked ward councillors and community leaders in Komo to find who was missing in their communities after allegations that some Komo youths were involved in the hostage situation.
Meanwhile Police Commissioner David Manning said the criminals came across the seven by chance.
“They are opportunists who have obviously not thought out this situation before they acted, and have been asking for cash to be paid,” he said.
“However, we are offering the abductors a way out.
“They can release their captives and they will be treated fairly through the criminal justice system, but failure to comply and resisting arrest could cost these criminals their lives,” he said.