Murder cases referred to independent investigators

 TWO unresolved murder cases from the Tonsu constituency of West Coast Buka in the Autonomous Region of Bougainville have been referred to independent investigators, the Bougainville police hierarchy said yesterday.

Acting Bougainville police chief Huitona Tohua confirmed that the cases included that of one former village court magistrate from Tung village, the late Charles Tomai and the late John Markus, a primary school teacher from East New Britain. 

The late Tomai was killed at Hurumun plantation between Kakin Hamlet and Kahule village in March 2005 while the second victim was murdered in November 2006 between Tung and Poka village. 

Investigations carried out revealed that the two cases were connected and allegedly carried out by the same killers. 

The late Markus was alleged to have been killed because he told a number of people about the murderers of the late Tomai. 

The teacher was ambushed near a mangrove swamp and murdered as he was paddling home to Tukihing Primary School on Nov 26, 2006. 

His killer(s) escaped on his canoe abandoning it near the mouth of the Poka River. 

The late Tomai was alleged to have been killed over some long running village dispute. 

The suspected killers and conspirators were known to the police and people from the West Buka area, (Kahule, Matsugan, Petats, Tung and Poka) urged to cooperate with police by giving information which might help in apprehending the suspects. 

The communities involved have also been warned that whoever was found harbouring any criminal or giving false information to police would be arrested and charged. 

“Police want more community involvement in helping to make our communities safer. 

“We will leave no stones unturned in our bid to restore public confidence in the Bougainville police service,” Tohua said.

Also an independent police investigation into the murder of a young man of Buka and Manus parentage at Tupo near Hutjena station in 2009 is still in progress and is nearing completion. 

Meanwhile, those who have any information in relation to the above or any other unsolved criminal cases are urged to call 973 9907, 7327 2215 or 7364 1475.