Madang market murder suspect charged

National
Mazuc Rubiang

Police in Madang had charged a man who murdered a 27-year-old woman from Jilim village in Madang’s Rai Coast district on May 24, in front of Madang’s main market.
Madang police commander acting Supt Mazuc Rubiang said the man, identified as Ismael Mablie, 29, from Enga, was the main suspect who allegedly slashed Rebecca to death with a bush knife in front of the market while she was trying to buy donuts for breakfast before going to work.
Rubiang said that police, after conducting investigations into the case since last week, charged Mablie on last Sunday with wilful murder.
He said the others, who were with Mablie, would be charged after police collected witness statements.
“I want to assure the relatives of the deceased that police will try their best to make sure that all those involved face the full force of the law,”he said.
“I am happy that police had obtained witness statements and had charged the main suspect and he will appear in court any time this week.
“I want the relatives of the deceased or the witnesses who were at the market to help police with statements to have the suspects dealt with.
The police will need the support from the eyewitnesses and the relatives of the witnesses to make sure the case is complete.”
Rubiang said according to the police report, the deceased was on her way to work when she stopped by the market to buy donuts.
While she was at the market, Mablie had been allegedly attacked by some youths.
He said Mablie tried to help a man whose phone was snatched by a youth but he was attacked by the youth.
He said Mablie went away but returned to the main market with friends armed with a bush knife.
Rubiang said Mablie and his friend fought with the youths at the market and, in the process, Mablie swung the bush knife slashing the woman on the left side of her neck.
She was rushed to the hospital but was pronounced dead by doctors at the hospital.
Police responded and also arrested the suspects involved including Mabile.