Officer stood down over death

By MIRIAM ZARRIGA
A SENIOR PNG Defence Force (PNGDF) officer has been stood down from active duties pending investigations into a “one-punch” incident on Dec 5 at the Lancron Navy Base, Port Moresby, where a young soldier died of injuries sustained during the incident.
The officer, who is now being investigated for the alleged actions taken by him against an intoxicated seaman who had arrived at the base early on Saturday, was taken into the Holola police station cell by relatives of the deceased on Dec 6 and was released on Dec 7 pending investigations.
PNGDF chief of staff Capt Philip Polewara confirmed the incident, saying that PNGDF was working with police to deal with the soldier’s death.
“I can confirm the incident has occurred,” he said.
“I can also confirm that the senior officer has been stood down from active duties pending investigations into the incident.
“The seaman was killed in an incident that the military police is currently investigating with the assistance of the civil police.
“We will not make any decisions until after the investigation is completed.”
According to the incident report, the young seaman was punched once.
However, it was alleged that he fell and hit his head on the concrete.
Duty officers rushed the man to the hospital but he was pronounced dead on arrival.