Anthony Wagambie Jnr appointed number two top cop for Bougainville
Bougainville’s government has accused PNG’s top cop of breaking the law in appointing a new deputy chief of the Bougainville Police Service.
Royal PNG Constabulary Commissioner David Manning says he is appointing Assistant Commissioner Anthony Wagambie Jnr to the job from Port Moresby where he was the commander of the National Capital District and Central Province
He says Wagambie Jnr will replace Bougainville’s current Assistant Commissioner, Naua Vanuawaru, who will return to Port Moresby.
Manning says Wagambie Jnr will be working as the officer in charge of operations and will report to Bougainville Police Service chief, Deputy Commissioner Francis Tokura.
But the Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG) has hit out at the appointment, accusing the police commissioner of failing to consult with them before the move.
Bougainville’s Attorney General Ezekiel Massat says the appointment is in breach of laws which state that only the autonomous government can appoint the head of the Bougainville police service.
Mr Massat says he is disappointed that there has been no consultation between the police commissioner and the ABG on the matter and the laws have been breached by someone who should be the first to be respecting and complying with the rule of law.
Now Mr Massat is calling on National Minister for Police Peter Tsiamalili Jnr to pull Commissioner Manning into line, saying the minister must ensure the commissioner acts in the interest of the autonomous region of Bougainville.
" When the two governments consult, whatever the nomination that comes from Bougainville must be the appointment,” he said.
“It is not for the national government to come up with its nominee and the ABG with its nominee then they have to choose.
“No. The national government must appoint the nominee from the ABG.
"To me, there is a clear breach of the provision of the Bougainville Peace Agreement. The police started the unrest in Bougainville. They turned the law and order issue into something, [referring to the start of the Bougainville war in 1989] that is why there is resistance from the men and women leaders and the revolutionary fighters on the issue of the Bougainville Police Service.
"These provisions were carefully crafted out after many hours, days and weeks of negotiations and where I sit at now on the organic law, with regards to the national government who think they can do all sorts without consultation with the Bougainville government, that’s a recipe for disaster.
"Let me make it clear, that if the national government continues to ignore those consultation provisions, then what do they expect?
“They are creating mistrust in the leadership and people of Bougainville. This is not a good time where the national government gets up and makes a unilateral decision and I am very upset.
"The law is very clear, and I am even more upset because police minister is the regional member for Bougainville. There is absolutely no excuse.”
The controversial appointment was announced on Wednesday this week in a widely circulated transfers, appointments document sent by Commissioner Manning.
Commissioner Manning said the transfers and promotions were fair and thorough and would further strengthen the leadership of the Royal PNG Constabulary.
Bougainville Police Service hierarchy expresses mixed reactions
Meantime, the Bougainville Police Service [BPS] hierarchy has expressed mixed reactions over the announced appointment of Anthony Wagambie Jnr to the BPS. Senior officer for the Bougainville Police Service says while the appointment is welcomed, there's concern that proper processes into the appointment were not followed.
Legal Officer and currently acting deputy chief of the Bougainville Police Service, Chief Inspector James Pais says Assistance Commissioner Wagambie Jnr is a career police officer and his inclusion into the local police will be a major boost and a learning curve into grooming the young police service.
Chief Inspector Pais however says while the Commissioner of the RPNGC has the power of appointment, avenues for consultation with the government on the ground, which is the autonomous Bougainville government must be followed because that is what the law says.
" ACP Jnr Wagambie is an experienced officer, an officer where he has been appointed in divisions and he has very good work ethics and he can bring that experience to the young Bougainville Police Service, so for me I am excited about the appointment, James Pais said.