There was no siege at Makon, says Agwi

National, Normal
Source:

By WALLACE KIALA

THERE was never any siege in the Makon settlement in Wewak by Moem Barracks Papua New Guinea Defence Force (PNGDF) soldiers in last week’s clash between settlers and Makon villagers.
PNGDF commander Brig-Gen Francis Agwi, while expressing regret over the killing and wanton destruction of property and burning of homes following the death of the son of a lawyer, told reporters yesterday that the soldiers were there to evacuate the families (wives and children) of three soldiers upon the orders of the Moem Barracks commanding officer.
Agwi said the families of three soldiers were living in the settlements, two of these soldiers also lived in the settlement while the other was based at the Vanimo PNGDF forward operating base, but his family was in the settlement.
“The soldiers and their families had been living in the settlement as there was no married quarters currently available in the barracks.
“It is the duty of every commanding officer to protect the men and women under their command, and to that effect, the commanding officer of the Second Royal Pacific Islands Regiment (2RPIR) in Moem quite correctly sent troops into the settlement to evacuate the families of the soldiers,” Agwi said.
One of the soldiers, based in Vanimo, whose family was in danger earlier sent an SOS call to the commanding officer in Moem who undertook the deployment purely for evacuation purposes.
It was reported that when the houses torched last Friday night, seven explosions rocked the area.
He said the explosions were caused by World War II  shells that were buried all over Wewak.
“In addition, any other civilian in the settlement whose lives were at risk and within the route of the evacuation by soldiers may have been rescued and brought to safety at the barracks,” he said.
The clashes were sparked by the killing on May 13 of lawyer Alois Jerewai’s 31-year-old son, Kelly, by settlers.
In retaliation over the death, Makon villagers raided the settlement and burnt down 17 houses, destroying properties on May 13 and 14.
“Soldiers were ordered in for the evacuation on Thursday night and there was never any siege installed by soldiers in Makon village as implied and there was never any interference in any shape or form by the defence force commander with respect to the incident,” Agwi said.