Three charged with raping 13-year-old girl

 POLICE have charged three men with rape following an attack on a 13-year-old girl on Watom Island in East New Britain last week.

Acting provincial police commander Snr Insp David Yapu said community leaders on the island had organised a raid with Rabaul police on Rau village to arrest the three men.

Chris Varili, 22, Robert Waninara, 23, and Isidore Raravi, 27, all from Vunakabai village, were taken back to Rabaul police station and charged with rape and one count of sexual penetration of a minor.

Yapu commended the support for community leaders and appealed to all local level governments to follow the example of the Watom elders.

Police also charged Melly Togole, 19, from Raluan in Rabaul and Sammy Parau, 20, from Ratavul for stealing and being in the possession of illicit liquor.