Soldier charged with sexually touching a minor

National

A PNG Defence Force soldier based at Lombrum Naval Base in Manus has been arrested and charged by police with sexually touching a minor.
Manus police commander David Yapu said the soldier, while under the influence of liquior, went to the victim’s house and touched her buttocks without her consent.
Yapu said the victim was a 12-year-old girl doing grade 4 at Lombrum Primary School.
The incident happened on Jan 17 at Lombrum, in Los Negros local level government.
Yapu identified the soldier as 26-year-old Gabriel Kaulo, from Kilip village, in North Waghi, Jiwaka.
Police picked up the suspect at his quarters at the barracks and charged him with sexually touching the minor.
This was after the victim’s father, also a soldier, laid a complaint with police when her daughter told her about the incident.
Yapu said the same law applied to everyone, including members of the disciplined forces.
“Whether you are a policeman or a soldier, the rule of law applies to everyone,” Yapu said.
The suspect appeared at Lorengau District Court on Tuesday for mention.
His case was adjourned.
Yapu said aside from this incident, the province was relatively quiet since the start of the year.