Top cop calls for combined effort

 POLICE have appealed for public assistance to recapture notorious criminals William Kapris and Raphael Walimini – for the sake of national security.

The two and Michael Warangu, who had since died, escaped from the maximum security facility at Bomana jail two weeks ago.

National Capital District /Central Divisional commander Jim Andrews has urged members of the PNG Defence Force and Correctional Services to put aside any differences and work together with the police in the recapture of Kapris and Walimini.

“For the sake of national security, the disciplined forces – police, defence and Correctional Services – with the help of the general public, must come together and work as a team to track (them) down,” he said.

“If there are any differences within the organisations, we must put that aside and work together.”

He said police were scaling down the manhunt because of costs incurred in the past two weeks.

“But that does not mean we are stopping there. We will continue with the manhunt, mostly focused on intelligence,” he said.

“I am appealing to the general public to come forward with any information that may lead to the recapture,” he said.

“I assure you that your identity will be kept confidential. I would like to also warn the general public that anybody aiding, assisting or housing Kapris and Walimi will be dealt with very seriously.”