PPC set aside over report

 A SENIOR police officer has been suspended because of information he gave to the media on the progress of police investigations into the missing marine scientists in West New Britain.

Provincial police commander Chief Insp Samson Siguyaru had told the media about the arrest of escapee Don Ako as police were planning to conduct investigations into the kidnapping of the PNG Institute of Medical Research scientists in West New Britain.

New Guinea Islands divisional police commander Assistant Commissioner of Police Anton Billie confirmed yesterday that Siguyaru had been suspended. 

But he declined to give the reason for the disciplinary action against the senior officer.

“I have not served him his suspension notice yet and will not comment much on the reasons behind his suspension,” said Billie.

Billie will be flying to West New Britain today to deal with Siguyaru’s suspension and to personally oversee police investigations into the missing scientists’ case.

Meanwhile, Siguyaru had confirmed earlier that Toy Yapet of Gigo Settlement in Kimbe had surrendered himself to police following the arrest of Ako.

Ako has been interrogated by police and remanded at the Lakiemata correctional facility.

Yapet is wanted by policed over a string of criminal activities in WNB.

A police officer, who does not want to be named, said Yapet surrendered after his relatives negotiated with police for his arres.

“Once his family was certain Yapet was not going to be harmed in any way, they notified us to his whereabouts and we apprehended him,” Siguyaru said.

The two are to be questioned over the missing scientists who disappeared at sea about two years ago while on a work assignment in waters off WNB.