In an effort to change, 32 surrender to police

THIRTY-two young men from Mutuyua and Maiwara villages in Alotau surrendered to police over the weekend.
Provincial commander Superintendent Peter Barkie said the men came to police on their own accord wanting to lay down arms to surrender after their various misdeeds.
“They are boys who may have been misled into doing wrong things and now they have decided to come forward on their own accord to police,” he said.
“They have shown courage and good citizenship, we have processed them but are now calling on witnesses to come forward and lay complaints or testify against them.
“As it is, police cannot prosecute them without witness’ statements.”
Barkie said that law and order was everyone’s business and he commended the group of young men for being brave enough to step forward.
“This shows that they are willing and want to change, so I thank them as well,” he said.
Meanwhile, Barkie said Milne Bay had been quiet throughout the general election.
“Our province was red-flagged during the election planning and we had manpower sent to us, all because we hit the headlines for all the wrong reasons.
“But we have proven to the critics that we are good people, respectful, understanding and law-abiding citizens.”
Barkie said the province was about to conclude General Election 2022 and so far there had been no law and order issues.
“I thank the candidates and their supporters who were very well behaved, I thank the people and the security officers who have been with us from the start of the election.”