Alotau back to normal, police reinforcement sought to hunt notorious criminal – Tommy Baker

By HARLYNE JOKU

POLICE were outnumbered and outgunned big time, says Provincial Police Commander for Milne Bay Peter Barkie.

He revealed this yesterday when asked by PNG Bulletin in a phone interview to give an account of a notorious gang’s burning and looting ordeal in Alotau.

The Provincial Police Commander (PPC) Barkie stated in his written update yesterday that he was away in Port Moresby for three weeks and returned on Thursday the 29^th of April when “all hell broke loose”.

Mr Barkie said at about 20,00 hours, police responded to a report of a wanted criminal staying in one of the hamlets at a settlement in town. On arrival at the scene they were confronted with heavy gun fire from the gang led by the notorious Tommy Baker with Michael Yawi and fellow gang members; hence, the fire fight started.

“Police were outnumbered and outgunned big time. The criminals then went on indiscriminate attacks on other residents and business houses. They were attacking different targets simultaneously which made it difficult for us to protect the public safety.

“Due to low manpower and resources we had to prioritize our efforts in defending the town. Our main focus was on protecting vital assets in town and we were not able to do that everywhere at the same time,” he said.

PPC Barkie said the IPL Barracks was burnt down because all policemen were out at the station fighting the gang.

“The few policemen who were there were off duty policemen and had no weapons with them. The few weapons we have were all committed at the station. As a result the barracks was burnt down. We have 13 family units as IDP (Internally Displaced Persons).

“At about 2.30 am we decided to have the troops switch to “man on foot” to clear the area from the Shopping Mall to Sanderson Bay, to water front, to Goilanai Bridge and to Todikwa. At 5 am troops conducted a special rescue operation to get two team members who were cut off from the team during the withdrawal under fire earlier in the night. By 5.30 am yesterday (Friday) police were able to declare the town safe.

“Business houses and schools were closed on Friday as a precautionary measure. Today (Saturday) it is business as usual for all.

“I have received reinforcement and we will now go after the bad guys. They always go into hibernation when there is police presence and come out only when there is no police presence. That is why we have to go after them,” Superintendent Barkie said.

Asked if there were any casualties, Supt Barkie said two policemen are sustaining injuries, one with pellet wounds all over his body and the other with a twisted broken ankle.