Southern Highlands villagers murder policeman

Corpse dumped into Kagul River

 

By DAVID TERRY of police media

 

A YOUNG policeman was murdered and his body thrown into the fast-flowing Kagul River in Kaupena along the border of Western Highlands and Southern Highlands at about 4pm on Wednesday afternoon, The National reports.

Police confirmed yesterday that 25-year-old probationary constable Isaac Mambi, from Katiloma village in Kagua, Southern Highlands, was attacked by more than 50 knife-wielding tribesmen who mutilated his body and threw it into the river.

Another policeman, identified as James Wali from Kopiago, also in Southern Highlands, escaped with axe wounds. A police high-powered A2 rifle was stolen.

LNG operations officer Snr Insp Michael Tilae said four policemen and five security guards, manning the checkpoint at the Paunda power plant, were alerted by informants of bootleggers trying to smuggle liquor into Southern Highlands by crossing the river on foot.

The policemen and security guards went to investigate by trekking downstream.

When they confronted the suspects, villagers numbering more than 50 gathered around them and one threw a snake at Mambi, which startled him.

Police witnesses at the site said when he tried to brush away the snake, he was attacked and his weapon retrieved.

His colleagues fired warning shots but the assailants continued to attack Mambi with knives, before throwing his corpse into the river.

Police reinforcements went to Kaupena yesterday morning and arrested four people including the driver and crew of a vehicle suspected of smuggling the liquor.

Police investigations are continuing.

 

 

A tribute to Aquila Emil

By MALUM NALU

A couple of hours before his fatal shooting, former Kumul rugby league superstar Aquila Emil held his elder daughter, Vavine, 20, and they both wept.

A memorial banner for Aquila Emil which was made by his former rugby league team mates

Father and daughter had not been on talking terms for some time, but as God would have it, they finally made peace just before his time on earth was through.
Tomorrow never came, as Emil had his life so tragically cut short, and Vavine must now face this world without him.
Emil’s elder sister, Margaret Worri, remembers that all of last week, he had been with her.

Sister Margaret Worri

“That’s the thing that haunts me so much,” she tells me at Emil’s haus krai (house of mourning) today.
“It was more or less a reconciliation time with his children.
“On the Thursday (Feb 3) before he was killed, he drove here to our house and said he was hungry.
“He asked me about my children, and even offered to pay school fees for his nephews and nieces.
“I said my children were fine.
“He then asked me to go with him.
“He asked me to do him a favor.
“He said he had not been talking with his daughter.
“He asked me to go and talk with his daughter.”
Brother and sister drove to DHL, where the daughter Vavine worked, and after much coaxing by her aunt, the reluctant daughter agreed to talk with her father.
“They hugged and cried,” Worri recalls.
“I told her not to be hard on her dad.
“I told her to appreciate dad and thank God.”
Emil dropped off his sister at her home, where she gave him K50, and he drove off into the sunset.
“At 3am on Friday (Feb 4), they called me and told me that he was at the emergency ward,” Worri adds as tears start rolling.
“We went to the emergency ward and there was blood all over.
“I could not believe what I saw.
“Doctors and nurses were trying to resuscitate him.
“His heart was still beating, but then, he took his last breath and closed his eyes.
“I found it hard to cry.
“I touched him all over and then I broke down.
“The saddest thing is that he spent his last couple of days with me.
“He had love for his children, for his brothers and sisters.
“He is gone but his legacy will live on.
“He did not die for nothing.
“Aquila was a peace-maker.
“He was not a violent person.”
Dad is also not coming home again to Jr Aquila, 23, a student at IBS; Martha, 16, in Grade 8 at Babaka Primary School; Rupa Penias, 12, in Grade 7 at Babaka; and Tau Vaitas, 10, in Grade 5 at Babaka.
More so, his soul mate, his beautiful wife, Marieta, from Babaka village outside Port Moresby, who still cannot get over the initial shock of his killing.

Widow Marieta Emil and eldest son Jr Aquila

“I love him so much,” she says as she fights back tears.
“He was a good father.
“He never beat up the children or argued with me.
“He always cooked for us.”
Emil was born in April 1967 on the idyllic island village of Umbukul, New Hanover, New Ireland province, the fifth in a family of five boys and four girls.
Their father was a devout Christian and pastor of the United Church, who passed away last year, while the mother passed away some 20 years ago.
“Aquila was known as Temerem, a village name,” Worri remembers.
“His other nickname in the village was Gurumasi.
“Out of all my brothers, he was probably the shortest.
“He was exactly like our dad.
“I saw that dad loved him more than us.
“He had a special place in his heart for the little man.
“Aquila was a great cook.
“Aquila and I were so close; however, we were also the worst of enemies
“It happened that he gave me a black eye once over a plate of rice.”
Younger brother, Albert, says he learnt so many things such as spearing and diving for fish from Emil.
“I learned so many things from him,” he says,
“Whatever I was supposed to learn from dad, he taught me.”
Emil did Grades 1-6 at Umbul Primary School, Grades 7-10 at Utu High School in Kavieng, and in 1983 went to Malaguna Technical College in Rabaul where he studied printing.
After Malaguna, he came to Port Moresby, signed up with the PNG Defence Force and had a short stint along the PNG-Indonesia border, before returning to Port Moresby and rugby league stardom.
The livewire “little man” from New Ireland electrified the Lloyd Robson Oval starting from 1988 onwards for Port Moresby Brothers.
Those were the halcyon days of club football in PNG as the artful dodger strutted his stuff for Brothers against legendary teams such as Kone Tigers, Paga Panthers, Magani, Wests, Tarangau, Defence and the likes.
I was a fresh-faced cadet reporter out of university, at Niugini Nius with the inimitable sports team of Jack Metta and Ronald Bulum, and Emil gave us some of the greatest live shows that PNG has ever seen, that we often ran out of superlatives to describe him.
Later, after Niugini Nius closed, I teamed up with Post-Courier and The National and covered many games around the country with Emil starring for Port Moresby Vipers in the inter-city rugby league competition and also international games for the Kumuls.
In 1993, during the World Sevens in Sydney, Vipers, captained by Emil, Wests’ magician Tuksy Karu at pivot, and players par-excellence such as fullback Philip Boge, Mark Agi and Daroa Ben-Moide demolished highly-fancied NRL teams and shocked and entertained the rugby league world.
They proved all critics wrong and made it all the way to the finals.
The same boys were part of the best-ever Kumul side that nearly caused the upset of the century when they almost beat the seemingly-invincible Australian Kangaroos in Townsville in 1991.
The Kumuls were eventually beaten 34-14, but it was the best-ever result for the Kumuls, considering it was not the usual cricket scorelines we have today.
The halves combination of No. 6 Karu and No. 7 Emil demolished the Australian combination of Laurie Daley and Allan Langer, while Hanuabada fullback Philip Boge blew Michael Hancock off the paddock with a solid tackle which saw him carried out on a stretcher.
Emil’s life was taken in a moment of madness last Friday; however, the memories will never die.
And the most-touching thing is that his wife and family have forgiven the alleged killer, saying God himself will be the judge.
“We will forgive and let God himself be the judge,” Worri says.
“We come from a humble, Christian family and we were brought up in a loving way.
“We will maintain that.
“I know that if dad was here, he would say the same thing.”

Relatives displaying the memorial banner at the haus krai today

Digicel becomes major sponsor of PNG's premier rugby league tournament

The newly titled Digicel Cup tournament will provide rugby league in PNG with a major boost, following the announcement of a new partnership with PNG-NRL, which sees Digicel become title and major sponsor of the country’s premier semi-professional rugby league tournament.

The significant sponsorship investment by Digicel will include the provision of communication services to the tournament organiser and teams as well as a major marketing and promotional campaign, which will help to take the country’s favourite rugby league tournament to a new level. 

Digicel is committed to supporting the PNG-NRL’s stated ambition of growing the footprint of the tournament and bringing in new teams and new host cities across the country.

The inaugural 2011 Digicel Cup will kick-off in early May and feature 10 teams, increasing from nine in 2009, playing 18 weeks of round robin action with five exciting games each weekend to look forward to.

The major PNG-NRL sponsorship sees Digicel become one of the country’s biggest investors in rugby league. 

Digicel’s unrivaled nationwide network offers mobile coverage in all seven cities and surrounding areas that will feature in the 2011 Digicel Cup

Digicel PNG CEO, John Mangos said: “Digicel is passionate about the development of sport in PNG and rugby League is the sport of the people.

“As PNG’s leading mobile service provider, there is a natural fit for us with the country’s premier national tournament which engages with hundreds of thousands of fans right across the country.

“We look forward to working in partnership with PNG-NRL board and the participating franchise teams to support their ambition to grow this wonderful tournament further and make provide even bigger and better league action.”

Don Fox, chairman of the board of PNG-NRL, welcomed Digicel as the tournament’s new title sponsor.

“Digicel’s sponsorship is fantastic news for the tournament, for the franchise teams and for all rugby league fans across country.

“The inaugural Digicel Cup, which will see 10 teams compete for the country’s most-coveted title looks set to be even more exciting than ever. 

“Digicel will be very welcome partners on our board and we look forward to their assistance and support over the next few years.”

PNGNRL bid gets on Broncos' shorts

PAPUA New Guinea, through its PNGNRL Bid team, will fork out more than K700, 000 as a minor sponsor for Brisbane Broncos in the upcoming NRL season, The National reports.

The move had expanded PNG’s horizons and, seemingly, its chances of success by opting to go into partnership with the glamour NRL club in a deal that would see the government-backed pro-ject effectively buy advertising space on the Broncos uniform (shorts).

Newly-elected Broncos chief executive Paul White, along with the club’s development manager Marty Roven and general manager of commercial operations Terry Reader, flew into Port Moresby yesterday to finalise a shorts sponsorship deal with the PNGNRL bid team worth about A$250,000 (K700,000) a season.

The visitors were holding talks with PNGNRL Bid board members Powes Parkop (NCD governor) and Philemon Embel (Sports Minister) over the deal.

The package, when confirmed, would see the country’s NRL bid aspirations use the famous Broncos club as a springboard to better name recognition in Australia’s NRL market.

“We are using Broncos as a medium to promote the bid and, at the same time, learn from them how to promote PNG-NRL franchise in preparation for the NRL expansion exercise,” Parkop said.

“The PNGNRL Bid team needs necessary skills on how to run a franchise, and could not go past Brisbane.”

But the new development had come at a cost with the preemptive resignations of the bid’s strategic adviser Paul Broughton and general manager Beverly Broughton.

The husband-and-wife team called it quits after what they described was a “conflict of interest” situation where Paul’s concurrent position as an executive of the Gold Coast Titans franchise had placed him in direct opposition to the proposal.

Broughton claimed the deal was put together at his back and he did not favour a marketing drive for NRL inclusion over funding for player, coaching and infrastructure development.

“Once I found out that the negotiations were going on, I immediately resigned because it was a conflict of interest because of my role with the Titans,” Broughton said.

 “(The Broncos) have made a commercial decision and they are going to be paid money for doing it.

“But, I could never do it against my own club.

“(The PNG bid team) knew I did not favour that type of progress to enable them to secure a licence.”

Sources within the bid team, however, have countered Broughton’s assertions, saying he had been aware of the impending deal months in advance and was also a part of the planning process which agreed that branding would play an essential role in marketing the country’s bid.

Funding for the shorts’ deal would come from the K20 million allocated by the national government to the PNGNRL Bid team. It was meant for the team to work with partners to secure a licence for the PNG team in the world toughest rugby league competition in Australia.

The National has been informed that the deal had been signed but was yet to reach the NRL commercial and marketing division for registration. NRL director of commercial and marketing Paul Kind could not be reached for comments.

However, a sports administrator in the country has described the move by the bid team as hypocritical and shallow.

He said the bid had yet to show one tangible result for all the monies poured into the project (see back page).

He said the Broncos joining forces with the PNG bid team could harm the chances of the consortium rallying for a second club in the city.

Former Broncos backer Craig Davison was behind a bid for a second Brisbane team to enter the NRL if the incoming independent commission to run rugby league decided to expand the competition.

The PNGNRL Bid logo would make its first appearance on the Broncos’ shorts when they play their opening trial of the pre-season against Gold Coast at Wynnum on Saturday night.

The Broncos were yesterday adamant the commercial association had no connection to the bid for a rival Brisbane team headed by Davison.

“This deal has been in the pipeline for nine months but we are on our way there as we still have to finalise some details,” White said in a statement.

“It will be an exciting partnership for both parties.

“For the Broncos, it will be a formal link into the one country in the world where rugby league is the national sport. And, it will also provide a link for Papua

New Guineans and their favourite team, the Brisbane Broncos.”

The group behind a potential second Brisbane club would hold its official launch at Suncorp Stadium on Feb 21, unveiling ambassadors and sponsors.

 

 

Brand scheme key to rich New Zealand market

By BOSORINA ROBBY

 

PAPUA New Guinea is among six Pacific Island nations to join in an economic venture targeting the New Zealand  market through a branding concept called “true Pacific” (TP), The National reports.

The brand was a development project of the Pacific Co-operation Foundation (PCF) and the NZ government to help Pacific economies grow by helping them export their products under this concept.

The “TP” brand would focus on fresh produce, shelf-stable foods and spa and natural beauty products that countries like PNG, Tonga, Samoa, Fiji, Vanuatu and Cook Islands could export to NZ under the TP brand.

This was revealed at a TP stakeholder feedback meeting on Monday in Port Moresby hosted by PFC and Investment promotion Authority. 

The meeting aimed to gather feedback from stakeholders regarding TP quality assurance programme and to provide updates.

The Pacific quality mark has been established to help raise consumer awareness of quality products of Pacific origin.

PCF auditor Kevin Budd said the concept of supplying the NZ market began in 2008 and that the foundation was now finalising the policy before launching in June this year.

He said so far, more than 40 enterprises had indicated interest in participating in this programme and that he was optimistic that more would join before the launching.

International standards form the basis of the guidelines and specifications that had been developed within the code of practice which the enterprises would need to meet in order to be registered and use the TP quality mark.

PCF is working closely with the IPA to target PNG’s export sector.

Budd, who visited three of the participating countries, was meeting with the IPA and stakeholders to discuss how PNG could be part of this and what   needed to be done to be registered.

 

 

Revenue boost for OTML

MINING giant Ok Tedi Mining Ltd has posted its financial statements ending the fourth quarter of last year with K5.1 billion in full year sales revenue – an increase of 27% from 2009 – reflecting higher copper and gold prices, The National reports.

The financial report stated that the full year copper concentrate shipments were 9% higher than 2009 with no river constraints.

The export shipments of copper-gold concentrates were 24% higher in the fourth quarter (168,731 tonnes) than in the third quarter with 136,228 tonnes.

This result was mainly impacted by lower head grades of copper (2%) and gold (6%), and also by the 16-day industrial action taken by union workers in April that resulted in a 9% lower mill throughput.

Total gold production of 15.6 tonnes was 6% below the 2009 production rate; however, OTML remained within the top three of PNG’s gold producers.

OTML also realised for this period that the average copper price was US$3.68 (K9.65) per pound, compared to US$2.44 (K6.40) in 2009.

The report said net cash generated before dividends was up by 96% compared to the previous year, mainly due to higher metal prices and volumes shipped.

Dividends paid were K1.687 million which included K1.387 million for the benefit of PNG interests.

OTML payment of mining royalties were 40% higher than 2009, with the Fly River government and the mine area landowners each receiving K46.8 million.

The mining company had also paid out a total of K920 million in taxes last year.

The report stated that the state was finalising feedback on the detailed mine closure plan submitted in December 2009 and advised OTML that a response would be given this month.

The Inmet share buy-back is expected to be completed by the end of last month with OTML buying back Inmet’s 18% shareholding for a lump sum payment of US$335 million and cancel the shares.

Serpent ‘guards’ naked constable

Policeman Kami lost in Tari jungles for 52 hours

A policeman and a health worker watching over First Const Mathew Kami at his hospital bed in Tari, Southern Highlands, after he was found huddled up under a tree naked with a large snake at his side in thick jungles between Tari and Benaria. – Picture courtesy of police media unit

A POLICEMAN, who disappeared for 52 hours, was found naked but alive with a coiled serpent as his guardian deep in the jungles of Upele between Tari Gap and Benaria in Southern Highlands, The National reports.
The police media unit reported last night that First Const Mathew Kami was among a police contingent sent to the area in pursuit of criminals operating in the Ambua Ranges who, allegedly, raped five women and robbed travellers last Sunday.
Kami got separated in the jungle and did not rejoin his group.
He was found at around 3pm yesterday by four villagers, who carried the policeman for more than five hours in a stretcher made from tree branches and vines.
Kami was carried through thick jungle and across rapid river torrents before reaching Ambua where police were camping.
The 32-year-old policeman from Tambunum village, East Sepik, was last night reportedly exhausted and recovering at the Tari Hospital.
The bizarre twist in this tale, police pointed out, was that locals, who rescued the policeman, said they found Kami lying next to a large snake completely naked and incoherent.
They also found his weapon, a high-powered police-issued A2 rifle, by his side and had returned it to police in Tari.
When interviewd by police, the four villagers said the snake coiled itself close to where Kami was lying but slithered away when the rescuers recited a prayer.
Policemen engaged in the search and rescue operation were mystified because Upele was too far and separated by at least four fast-flowing rivers. It would take about five hours to walk between Upele and Ambua.
Police said their colleague appeared weak and delirious when he was taken to the Tari Hospital at 10 o’clock last night and was placed in intensive care.
Kami’s wife and three children were informed on Monday night and arrangements had been made for them to travel to Tari to be with him.
Medical superintendent of Tari Hospital Dr Hamiye Hewali said Kami would continue to receive fluids in drips until he regained his strength.
The doctor said blood tests would also be taken to examine the presence of any foreign substance and, depending on the outcome of the tests, appropriate medication would be prescribed for the patient.
Policemen who took Kami to the hospital said he lived on wild taro and fern leaves during his 52-hour ordeal.
Commander of Operation Paijele Haminye acting Chief Supt David Manning thanked the villagers for saving Kami’s life and said investigations would be conducted into the matter.
Locals said according to traditional beliefs, spirits guarding the forests did not accept foreigners.