Soldier held in doctor’s assault

By JACKLYN SIRIAS
THE military police have arrested a soldier who allegedly assaulted a doctor last Saturday in Port Moresby as he would have to defend himself in a military court as well, an officer says.
“He was charged by the military police and detained at the first Royal Pacific Island Regiment military cell at Taurama,” Defence Force Chief of Staff Philip Polewara said.
National Capital District Metropolitan Superintendent Perou N’Dranou, pictured, said they were awaiting the military to hand him over after their investigation so that he could be formally arrested and charged.
PNG National Doctor’s Association president Dr James Naipao said the incident happened around 6.30pm when Dr Dean Wahembari was on his way to pick up his son at a friend’s house in North Waigani. Dr Wahembari is the Ear, Nose, Throat (ENT) training registrar.
Dr Naipao said doctors around the country were treating the matter seriously and would consider a protest if it was not dealt with by the Defence Force and police in the next 10 days.
Polewara said the defence force apologised to Dr Wahembari, his family, the staff of Port Moresby General Hospital and members of the PNG National Doctors Association.
“The PNGDF is a prestigious organisation that puts discipline as its number one priority and our officers are subjected to the military code of conduct both in their professional and private lives,” he said.
Polewara said the force was concerned about the behaviour of some of its officers and an investigation was underway in collaboration with the police.
“We will assist the police in whatever capacity that we have to see this case is addressed and brought to an end,” Polewara said.