PNG Police tell track attack suspects to surrender quickly

MOROBE police commander Philip Lame says the remaining suspects in last Tuesday’s Black Cat Track murders and attacks still on the run are basically “dead men walking” if they do not turn themselves in.

Four of the suspected robbers had surrendered themselves to police last Sunday.

Lame told The National yesterday that 74 police officers and villagers, backed up by a helicopter were scouring the rugged terrain between Wau and Salamaua for the remaining suspects.

He warned that there was little or no chance of them escaping or getting out alive if they did not turn themselves in.

The group of thugs killed two local porters and attacked eight foreign trekkers during the attack.

The visiting trekkers included seven Australians and a New Zealander.

A man suspected of harbouring the suspects was hacked to death by the angry relatives of murdered porter Mathew Gibob, of Skin Diwai village.

“I ask them to surrender to police, village leaders, or pastors,” Lame said.

“If they do not surrender, the relatives of the dead and injured porters will attack them.

“I also appeal to the relatives not to take the law into their own hands.”

Lame thanked villagers along the Black Cat Track from Wau to Salamaua for their support.

“I want to commend the villagers, the people of Salamaua, the people of Wau, and especially the villagers of Bitoi and Mubo,” he said.

“Without them, we would not have arrested the first four suspects.

“They are still supporting us.”

Lame said the hard work put in by police over the last week deserved the highest praise.

“I would like to praise my men for a job well done, especially in arresting the first four suspects in just a few days, when it could have taken weeks or months in such rugged terrain,” he said.