Pirates sink boat

By SYLVESTER WEMURU and GYNNIE KERO
FOUR people are missing and a man was found dead (believed to have drowned) after four armed pirates sank a boat in Madang last Saturday.
The pirates had posed as passengers and boarded a boat from Karkar to Kubugam and Madang town.
Along the journey, the pirates held up eight passengers and relieved them of cash and valuables. They then sank the boat and swam away (to a waiting getaway boat).

Madang police commander Acting Supt Mazu Rubiang told The National that a sea piracy report was received on Saturday.
“One of the boat passengers was found dead (believed to have drowned), the skipper, a crew and a passenger were rescued by villagers in a passing boat. Four passengers are still missing,” he added.
Acting Supt Rubiang said a search team had been deployed to search for those missing and the pirates.
“My appeal to the Madang people is to help take ownership of safety during the Christmas celebrations and festivities,” he said.
“We are bogged down by too many complaints and are unable to attend to all.
“I call on village leaders and communities to walk the extra mile to help us maintain and tackle law order issues.”

Meanwhile, Sumkar Member of Parliament Chris Nangoi last night told The National that sea piracy had been an ongoing issue in his electorate.
“The activity (sea piracy) has really picked up in recent times.”
Nangoi, who is also Correctional Services Minister, said the district was doing its best to address the issue.
“Islanders and boat operators must take precautions and travel in groups between Karkar Island and Madang,” he said.
“Many boats and people (reportedly) have gone missing.
“Sumkar development authority is doing its best while I have gone as far as the national level to request for a water police boat to be brought to Madang to monitor, contain and fight such activities that are affecting about 100,000 people.”