HUNDREDS OF PAPUA NEW GUINEA FORCES DESCEND ON PARLIAMENT

Hundreds of Papua New Guinea disciplinary forces officers are said to have descended on parliament in Port Moresby demanding payments they say they are owed for providing security at the APEC Summit.

RNZ Pacific’s correspondent in PNG Melvin Levongo said multiple police vehicles with armed police were involved. It’s understood correctional service officers and a small element of PNG’s Defence Force were also involved. They were demanding to speak with Prime Minister Peter O’Neill and APEC Minister Justin Tkatchencko about the extra money they say they were owed.

Mr Levongo said a policeman told him they were very angry at the government.

“You guys have got money to pur- chase Maserati cars but we are asking for our allowance so that’s the situation currently at the moment.”

Mr Levongo said traffic had been halted in and around parliament, and that there was no military involvement in the protest. Photographs are circulating showing damage at parliament buildings including broken glass windows and doors for which PNG police are said to be responsible. Madang MP Bryan Kramer’s Facebook page shows hallways and lobbies that have been trashed and an image of startled shadow ministers whose meeting was interrupted.

In response to the actions of the discipinary forces officers at parliament, the government has assured the officers that they would be paid.

A Police spokesman Dominic Kaka says around 50 officers from the constabulary were involved in the incident.

Mr Kakas put the action of the officers down to a misunderstanding about the non-payment of allowances.

He says the information he has at this stage is that the damage to par- liament was minimal and and no complaints have been made about any assaults. Meanwhile, a PNG Cabinet minister has called for the resignation of the Police Commissioner, Gary Baki, over the incident. Minister for Higher Education Pila Niningi said the rampage at Parliament by law enforcers was unacceptable.

fromHe told Loop PNG that there are proper procedures to follow over issues of outstanding payments.

Mr PnIningi called on Commissioner Baki, and the Acting Correctinal Services Commissioner, Stephen Pokanis, to resign over the unrest.

A Police spokesperson said around 50 officers from the constabulary were involved in the incident.

Scenes outside the Papua New Guinea Parliament after members of the disciplined forces stormed Parliament House.