By Staff Reporter

Papua New Guinea Opposition Calls for Independent Probe into Police Commissioner's Assault Allegations

14/6/2024

The Papua New Guinea Opposition is urging the Government to launch an independent investigation into assault allegations against Police Commissioner David Manning. This call follows the release of a five-minute video featuring a woman claiming to have been assaulted by Manning in 2000.

East Sepik Governor Allan Bird emphasized the gravity of the accusations, stating, "These allegations reflect on the Office of the Police Commissioner and have the potential to demean the office."

In response, Police Minister Peter Tsiamalili defended Manning, dismissing the claims as politically motivated. "These allegations have already been dismissed by the court on three occasions," Tsiamalili said. "This is an attempt to politicize the Constitutional Office of the Commissioner of Police for self-serving political interests."

Bird insisted that the emergence of the alleged victim warrants an independent inquiry. "The Opposition feels it is necessary for Commissioner Manning to voluntarily step aside while allowing an independent and competent organ of law to clear him," he said. Bird noted that the woman in the video claims to have been intimidated and is understandably fearful of the police commissioner.

Bird stressed the importance of showing sympathy toward the alleged victim, rather than skepticism. "A crime has allegedly been committed by the head of the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary, an institution that is supposed to prosecute crime and protect victims," he said.

The Opposition also condemned the termination of the investigating officer involved in the case, viewing it as an attempt to undermine the rule of law. "It is hardly coincidental that the police officer who was assisting the alleged victim has been found guilty of malpractice and terminated from the force," Bird remarked, suggesting this could be seen as an effort to pervert the course of justice.

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