Hela leaders call for respect, peace and rule of law in Port Moresby

Residents living in Port Moresby have been reminded to respect the nation’s capital, which serves as a place for Papua New Guineans and the international community to conduct business, pursue education and access medical services.

Hela Governor Philip Undialu and Koroba Lake Kopiago MP William Bando made the call while addressing Hela citizens during a funeral service held in Port Moresby recently.

Their remarks follow a violent incident during the New Year period involving youths from Pureni Village in the Koroba Lake Kopiago District, Hela Province. The incident occurred at Nine Mile and escalated into violence after an argument.

One man, Hapiapu Emolo, suffered serious bush knife injuries to the head and jaw. He later died from his injuries a week after the incident. The deceased was the younger brother of Henry Hewali Emolo, Chairman of the Koroba Lake Kopiago Peace and Good Order Committee.

Community leaders commended Chairman Emolo and his immediate family for showing leadership by discouraging relatives from carrying out payback and instead allowing the matter to be handled by police.

Governor Undialu and MP Bando, who attended the funeral, acknowledged the courage and restraint shown by the family, as well as the efforts of Hela leaders based in Port Moresby who worked together to ensure justice was served.

As a result of these efforts, three youths allegedly involved in the incident were arrested and handed over to police to face the law.

Both leaders urged Hela citizens living in Port Moresby and those back in the province to follow this example, stressing that village disputes should not be brought into the city, and urban problems should not be taken back to the villages.

They also warned against the practice of payback killings, saying innocent people are often targeted simply because of family or tribal ties.

“This practice remains one of the major causes of violence and lawlessness in Hela and other parts of the country. The good example shown by the Pureni community must be encouraged and shared widely,” Governor Undialu said.

He stressed that peace and stability can only be achieved when communities fully respect the rule of law and reject violence and retaliation.