Policeman among 3 murdered

By GYNNIE KERO
AN auxiliary policeman from Yawar village in the Rai Coast district of Madang was among one of the three people from the area murdered last week, police say.
Police commander (PPC) Supt Mazuc Rubiang said a suspect alleged to have been involved in the murder of auxiliary policeman Werie Sezi at Yawar village, Astrolabe Bay, on Friday was arrested and taken to Jomba Police Station in Madang town.
He said Sezi left Yawar village at around 9am to go to Boko village to attend his brother’s haus krai (mourning) and funeral service on Friday.
Sezi was heading back to Yawar village at around 4pm when he was attacked by six suspects.
Supt Rubiang said the suspects allegedly used bush knives in the attack before leaving the body near the road and fleeing.
He said police investigated and found that another two killings had occurred in the area.
According to police, 50-year-old Sipiki Yawang, from Yawar village, was murdered on June 7.
Supt Rubiang said the deceased was on his way to a nearby village when he was attacked by six suspects.
He said the suspects allegedly used bush knives to hack and kill him.
Supt Rubiang identified the third killing as Mel Kaimaisi, 48, from Boko village, who was killed last Monday. He said Kaimaisi was allegedly attacked and killed in his house by the same suspects involved in previous murders.
Supt Rubiang said the suspect in police custody would be interviewed as police looked to make more arrests.
A councillor from the Astrolabe Bay said other killings had occurred but not reported to police.
He claimed the killings were sorcery-related.