Commissioner of Police, David Manning, said two fugitives who had led a criminal gang in East New Britain Province that terrorised local villages have been shot and killed by police.
Nineteen of their associates have been detained and will be charged.
The two men, Jack Bilak and Steve Diril, who had previously absconded from the Kerevat Correctional Services Institution, were shot at Vunadidir following a high-speed car chase and a confrontation with police seeking to effect arrest warrants.
Commissioner Manning said, “The two deceased fugitives had been wanted following their earlier escape from custody, and for a range of serious violent offences that involved murder, rape, looting and other acts of violence.
“Acting on gathered intelligence, on 4th of August 2023, police had established a roadblock at the Tomaringa Islands Mobile Group main gate. After the fugitives burst through the gate at around 5pm, a police pursuit ensued that concluded with the deaths of the escapees at 5.30pm along the Kokopo-Kerevat Road at Vunadidir Ward, ENBP.
“The fugitives were brandishing firearms when police attempted to arrest them, and when they did not comply with directions to lay their weapons down, they were shot by police.
“The fate of these two fugitives is a warning to any and every criminal who terrorises our people and attempts to evade arrest, that you will be stopped one way or another by all legal means at police disposal.
“The criminal activity of these two now deceased, who had raped women, killed villagers, intimidated communities, and burnt houses, is the very definition of domestic terrorism.
“The people of East New Britain can now be relieved that they no longer must live in fear from the misery that has been inflicted upon them by these two, and their nineteen associates who are now also in police custody.
“For some time now the RPNGC has been shifting force posture from a shared focus on crime prevention, to a much greater emphasis on monitoring and immediate response to criminal activity. At the same time, police reservists and auxiliary police are taking up a greater community policing function.
“Law and order in our country is at a crossroads, and through the support of the Marape-Rosso Government real change is being achieved for the betterment of our Nation.”
Operational Overview – Shooting of two wanted fugitives in ENBP
· Police were acting on reliable information that the escapees had been travelling in a white Nissan Navara from Rabaul following Tomaringa road towards Kokopo-Kerevat road, and established a roadblock at Tomaringa gate.
· The vehicle carrying the fugitives ignored directions at a police roadblock and fled at high speed towards Tokarongong junction.
· Police initiated a pursuit, issued warnings over loudspeaker, and fired two warning shots in the air.
· After turning at Tokarongong junction the vehicle proceeded at high speed towards Kokopo.
· At Vunakabi village, along the Kokopo-Kerevat Road, police discharged live rounds to shoot two tyres on the fugitives’ vehicle, in the front and rear, rendering the vehicle immobile.
· At this time the fugitives carrying firearms sought to escape and in an ensuing confrontation with police, they were shot and died as a result of their injuries.
· Their 19 associate escapees were arrested and detained in the Kokopo Police Station Cells.
· Leading up to the vehicle pursuit and deaths of the fugitives, the two men had been leading a gang of youths on a crime spree in ENBP.
· This included youths from Ravat, Kunakunai and Ngatur Wards and they were engaged in ongoing fighting against people in Tinganalom Ward, in the Raluana Local Level Government area, since 2019.
· During this period of violence, a number of buildings had been burnt down including Kabagab Primary School classrooms, teacher’s house and the school canteen, as well as a number of private houses, stores, shelters and a copra dryer.
· Villages in Tinganalom Ward were also terrorised, that included looting and the burning down of houses causing more people to become homeless.
· There were further attacks against Livuan and Vunamurmur Ward communities including the burning of houses and property theft, and three youths from Livuan Ward and one from Vunamumur Ward were killed.
· The gang attacked a Vunaulul Ward member and family and burnt down three houses and a canteen.
· The deceased fugitives were also involved in a string of armed robberies and motor vehicle theft.
· A number of operations and raids had been conducted by police to apprehend the now deceased gang leaders and their accomplices following leads of sightings, which concluded with the death of the men on Friday, August 4.
· The bodies of the deceased were taken to the Rabaul Provincial Hospital morgue, and 19 associates have been detained in police custody for processing on initial charges of harbouring escapees.
Information on the Deceased and Detained:
· Jack Bilak, 29 years, Ravat village, Kokopo, ENBP, was arrested and charged with two counts of Armed Robbery and Unlawful Used of Motor vehicle. He had been remanded at the Kerevat Correctional Services Institution awaiting National Court trial when he escaped from custody.
· Steven Diril, 21 years, Kunakunai village, Kokopo, ENBP, was arrested and charged with wilful murder, armed robbery, and arson. He had been remanded at Kerevat Correctional Services Institution awaiting committal process when escaped. An additional charge on wilful murder and other crimes were in process at the time of his escape.
The suspects currently in police custody:
1. Elison Goldie, 30 years, Ngator village, Kokopo, ENBP.
2. Benny Vully, 22 years, Ravat village, Kokopo, ENBP.
3. Henry Donald Okole, 30 years, Ravat village, Kokopo, ENBP.
4. Ngala Rossie Taitai, 35 years, Ravat village, Kokopo, ENBP.
5. S. Maite Henry, 18 years, Ngatur village, Kokopo, ENBP.
6. Moses Maidang, 20 years, Ngatur village, Kokopo, ENBP.
7. Benjaminie Paulias, 18 years, Ngatur village, Kokopo, ENBP.
8. Essau Niba, 23 years, Ngatur village, Kokopo, ENBP.
9. Apelis Konamete, 21 years, Ngatur village, Kokopo, ENBP.
10. Penny Tivai, 24 years, Ngatur village, Kokopo, ENBP.
11. Buana Reynold, Ravat village, Kokopo, ENBP.
12. Wesley Jack, 21 years, Ngatur village, Kokopo, ENBP.
13. William Karing, 64 years, Ravat village, Kokopo, ENBP.
14. William Kalala, 30 years, Ravat village, Kokopo, ENBP.
15. Michael Rupee, 25 years, Ravat village, Kokopo. ENBP.
16. Essao Karai, 39 years, Ravat village, Kokopo, ENBP.
17. Penny Eliab, 34 years, Ravat village, Kokopo, ENBP.
18. Benry Vulie, 22 years, Ravat village, Kokopo, ENBP.
19. Apelis Mathias, 24 years, Ravat village, Kokopo, ENBP.