Police rescue couple, officers

MILNE Bay police conducted a sea and land operation at night to rescue two policemen and a couple who were held captive on Normanby Island, provincial police commander Chief Supt Peter Barkie said.
The couple, a husband and wife who were in the district buying beche-de-mer, were allegedly robbed by armed men. The rescue operation took place on Nov 6.
Chief Supt Barkie said the operation was conducted during the visit of US ambassador to PNG Erin McKee to Alotau on Nov 6-7.
He said a six-man police team was deployed in a dinghy to Normanby in Esa’ala after receiving a call from two policemen at Guleguleu village on Nov 6 that they had exchanged gunfire with 11 armed men who had then robbed the couple they had escorted.
The policemen said they initially fought off the attackers but had to flee after their guns jammed.
The armed men then held up the couple and took K25,000 cash, a mobile phone and remained in the area apparently to hunt down the policemen.
Chief Supt Barkie said fortunately the policemen were able to call for help.
“A team of six policemen were deployed from Alotau at about 8.30pm with no navigational aids but only torch lights to look out for floating logs, sand banks and reefs,” Supt Barkie said.
“At about 3.30am they arrived at Nomanby Island where they had to trek for two hours inland, over rugged terrain before reaching the policemen and the couple at about 5:30am.”
Chief Supt Barkie said the rescue team took the policemen and the couple and returned to Alotau.