Sailor’s relatives demand answers

THE family of a seaman who died after a ‘one punch’ incident at the Lancron Naval Base in Port Moresby on Dec 5 has appealed to the PNG Defence Force (PNGDF) to deal with the issue promptly and have the suspect arrested and charged.
Seaman Emmanuel Mondo allegedly died from injuries sustained after being struck by a senior PNGDF officer.
The brother of the deceased, Newman, said the suspect was released from the Hohola police station cell a day after the incident.
He said the suspect was released from custody through his lawyer.
Newman said suspects alleged to have committed serious crimes needed to be detained and only released on court-sanctioned bail.
Newman said his family were frustrated and wanted to know why the suspect was released.
He said the family wanted to know what the police and PNGDF were doing with regard to investigating the death of his brother.
Seaman Mondo leaves behind a wife and a seven-year-old daughter.
PNGDF chief of staff Capt Philip Polewara confirmed the incident.
He said PNGDF was working with police to deal with the issue.