Body of Western Highlands police officer Apolo Paskalis repatriated to Western Province to be laid to rest

The body of a Western Highlands police officer who died almost three months ago has been returned to his home province to be laid to rest.

Second In Charge First Constable Apolo Paskalis died from a heart attack at Mt Hagen Provincial Hospital on August 24.

His body was returned to his home province of Western Province last Friday.

Inspector Paul Andapia, the commander of Tambul Nebilyer police station, told NBC Current Issues it took almost three months to prepare for the casket's repatriation.

The body left Western Highlands after a brief farewell ceremony at Tambul Police Station on Thursday.

NBC's Mt Hagen reporter Vannesa Ripa said the casket overnighted in Port Moresby and was later flown to Late Paskalis's home village near the border of West Papua.

The casket was accompanied by Inspector Andapia, the dead man's immediate family members and other police personnel.