SIMBU Provincial Police Commander (PPC), Superintendent, Mazuc Rubiang says a suspect was arrested and charged on two counts of willful murder under section 299 (1) of the PNG Criminal Code Act.
PPC Rubiang said that the suspect was arrested on Tuesday 25th March 2025 and is now detained at the Kundiawa police cells awaiting his court appearances.
Superintendent Rubiang confirmed that the suspect Philemon Kulex Mawe Gola, aged 38, was from Piau village, ward 6, Tabare Local Level Government (LLG), SineSine Yongomulg District in the Simbu province.
PPC Rubiang said the suspect was arrested and charged following the double murder case was formally reported to the Kundiawa Police Station by the relatives of the two deceased on Friday 21st March 2025.
Mr Rubiang said the Police Criminal Investigation Division (CID) personnels immediately conducted police investigations into the case and established real evidence (exhibits), took photographs and obtained witnesses’ statements which led to the apprehension and arrest of the suspect.
“The Police alleged that the suspect and his accomplices accused the two deceased persons and others for causing the death of the suspect’s cousin brother late John WAIYE through sorcery or sanguma.
“The suspect and his accomplices then rounded up several alleged persons suspected of causing deaths of late John WAIYE and took them to the “hausman” in the center of the village where they threatened, interrogated, beaten, tortured and eventually killed the two persons to death.
“The suspect and his accomplices then placed the deceased dead bodies into a white Toyota Land Cruiser, ten-seater vehicle and conveyed out of the village,” PPC Rubiang said.
Mr Rubiang said the whereabouts of the bodies of the deceased are yet to be known by the police and the relatives at this stage. He said the police investigation is continuing to establish the whereabouts of the two dead bodies and effect more arrests as well.