Opportunist warned not to take advantage of situation

Caption:  Act Dept Commissioner for Police Operation Jim Andrews and Acting Chief of Staff Col Vagi Oala.

Caption: Looters taking advantage by looting J Mart at Taurama.

By MATTHEW VARI

Sunday, December 7, 2014 (Sunday Chronicle, PNG)

SENIOR officers from both the military and the police have warned opportunists taking advantage of the situation that occurred yesterday between both disciplined forces that they will be seriously dealt with by both organizations if caught.

Acting Deputy Police Commissioner Operations Jim Andrews informed the public that normalcy has returned, however expressed some caution in the affected areas of Boroko, 4 mile and Taurama as a precaution.

“The situation has been curtailed and people are now freely moving around, but be careful when you move around, and take precaution when you do so,” Mr Andrews said.

“In terms of the situation of looting we will deal with the opportunists who will face the arm of the law.”

Acting Chief of Staff Colonel Vagi Oala of the PNGDF also warned members of the public at large to not take advantage of the situation.

“The blame of what those looters are doing will come back to us, so we will not hesitate to come down on those taking advantage of a situation that is between us who are experiencing it and not the community at large,” Oala said.