Search for officer continues

By DOROTHY MARK
POLICE and locals are continuing the search for the police officer who – with two others – was swept away by floodwaters in a vehicle in Madang on Tuesday night.
Constable Clemence Wilau was travelling with Senior Sergeant Willie Marita and Constable Justine Baugen to Usino from Madang town to investigate a hostage situation involving passengers in a bus, and an alleged assault on Raicoast MP Peter Sapia.
Their vehicle was swept off the Tapo Bridge while they were trying to cross it. Baugen was rescued by two officers later that night while clinging to reeds. Marita died. His body was recovered on Wednesday afternoon.
Police officers yesterday continued their search for Wilau along the Tapo, Naru and Gogol rivers.
Madang town mayor Joe Yama saluted Marita for faithfully serving the people until his last breath.
“Police play an important role in protecting lives and properties and Sergeant Marita was doing just that and lost his life,” Yama said.
Meanwhile, locals want a proper bridge built across Tapo River. The current concrete wet crossing is dangerous to use during bad weather.
Several vehicles had been washed off the crossing by floodwaters.
Locals also want police to conduct a raid in the Usino area to arrest suspects involved in the armed robberies, hold-ups and shooting.