The Chinese community in East New Britain (ENB) has condemned the brutal killing of an Asian expatriate in Kokopo on Monday this week.
The China and PNG Friendship Association Inc. Rabaul Chapter President Irene Seeto described the killing of the Chinese manager of Miracle Supermarket at Takubar- Weng Zugu, 58 as horrific, senseless and sickening.
Chinese businesses in ENB closed shops today to mourn the death of late Weng.
The tightly knitted Chinese community in the province says the killing has brought about a feeling of fear amongst the Asian expatriates in the province.
“On behalf of all the Chinese business houses in East New Britain, we hereby wish to notify the general public that we will shut down all stores and shops today. This is to respect and honour the passing away of one our Chinese citizens,” Mrs Seeto said.
“We are also strongly appealing to the police enforcement to carry out a prompt investigation and arrest all suspects who were involved and bring them to justice immediately.”
According to ENB Provincial Police Commander Chief Inspector Joseph Tabali, the 10 suspects armed with two homemade guns and other weapons stormed into the shop at about 8:30am on Monday.
Police said the suspects chased the security personal at the door harassing workers and fired a shot at Weng and he died instantly.
The suspects fled in a getaway vehicle waiting outside and abandoned the vehicle at Gelagela, a 30- minute drive from Kokopo town and fled on foot.
The driver of the vehicle was apprehended and arrested. Police are yet to capture the suspects.