Police rue media report over assault

 JOURNALISTS in East New Britain have been urged to report facts and not innuendo.

Provincial police commander Supt Anthony Wagambie Jr made the call in Kokopo last Friday following a Post-Courier report alleging police officers attacked a person with disability.

The newspaper report last Tuesday claimed that police reservists in Rabaul had attacked an amputee, smashing his wooden leg on his head.

Wagambie denied the report.

“The disabled man, Gibson Michael Boto, was never assaulted by a reservist or any member of the constabulary,” he said.

“I have confirmed with the police station commander in Rabaul that two civilians allegedly attacked the man. Both have been arrested and charged.”

Police named the alleged offenders as 27-year-old Apelis Hugo, of Pilapila village, and Benson Kuraiba, of Malaguna No 1 in Rabaul district.

Wagambie said police would investigate and establish how police were blamed for the assault.

“There is so much negative publicity against police in the media.

“This is a case where the report is false and misleading. It is not helping police at all.”

Wagambie urged reporters to get their facts right and not report hear-say. 

“The Post-Courier reporter should have waited for my confirmation on the incident before publishing.

“This is a very sensitive matter and I will need a proper apology for such inexperienced conduct by the reporter,” Wagambie said.