Prime Minister Marape has strongly condemned recent criminal and rascal activities reported in Oro Province, describing the incidents as a serious threat to public safety and warning that those responsible must surrender immediately or face the full force of the law.
The Prime Minister’s remarks follow briefings from the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary (RPNGC) confirming that organised groups have carried out violent and coordinated criminal acts in and around Popondetta, deliberately terrorising communities, disrupting normal life, and endangering innocent civilians.
Prime Minister Marape said the emergence of organised criminal behaviour was deeply concerning, particularly in a province widely known for its peaceful character and strong community values.
“Oro is a good province, made up of good and peaceful people. The people of Oro respect one another, stand firm on matters affecting their land and livelihoods, and resolve differences through peaceful and lawful means,” Prime Minister Marape said.
“We cannot allow the actions of a small group of youths engaging in criminal behaviour to undermine the peace, stability, and reputation of the province. This emergence of lawlessness will not be tolerated.”
He said police assessments indicated that the recent incidents were not isolated acts of petty crime, but deliberate and organised actions intended to intimidate communities and challenge lawful authority.
“When criminal groups deliberately terrorise communities, obstruct public order, and attack the sense of safety of ordinary citizens, that behaviour crosses a dangerous line. This is not mischief. This is organised criminality, and the State will respond decisively,” he said.
The Prime Minister said the consequences of persistent lawlessness were clear, pointing to recent incidents elsewhere in the country, including Wapenamanda, where firm police action demonstrated the State’s resolve to restore order and protect innocent citizens.
“These are the natural consequences of continuously choosing a path of lawlessness. We have seen, time and again, that those who engage in criminal behaviour either face severe penalties through the courts or meet tragic ends through confrontations with law enforcement,” he said.
Prime Minister Marape commended the Minister for Police and the leadership of the RPNGC, particularly Commissioner David Manning, for the swift deployment of additional police manpower, including officers from outside the province, to stabilise the situation and restore public confidence.
“I fully support the decision to deploy any necessary resources to flush out this ugly head of lawlessness once and for all. Police will not allow these criminal acts to go unchecked or unanswered,” the Prime Minister said.
He issued a direct appeal to members of the criminal group involved to lay down their arms and surrender peacefully.
“To those involved, I say this clearly: you will be pursued. Lay down your arms, surrender yourselves to police, and allow the lawful process to deal with you. This is the only path that offers any measure of leniency,” Prime Minister Marape said.
The Prime Minister reminded perpetrators that their actions were inflicting harm on their own people.
“The people you are terrorising are innocent. They are members of your own communities – your kinsmen and kinswomen, your relatives. There is no honour in preying on your own people,” he said.
Prime Minister Marape urged communities to continue using established and peaceful mechanisms to resolve disputes, including village courts and recognised community mediation systems.
“Where there are grievances or disputes, allow the normal processes of village courts and community mediation to deal with these matters. Violence and intimidation are not solutions,” he said.
From a national government perspective, the Prime Minister reaffirmed full and unequivocal backing for police operations aimed at restoring law and order and ensuring that perpetrators are arrested and processed through the justice system.
“If you choose to remain in the bush and confront police, the end of that road is a blocked road. We have seen how these stories end. Front up now, surrender to police, and allow the law to take its course,” Prime Minister Marape said.
He concluded by assuring the people of Oro Province that the Government remains firmly committed to protecting peaceful communities, supporting law-abiding citizens, and preserving the stability and harmony that define the province.