The fight against sorcery accusation-related violence (SARV) in Papua New Guinea has reached a new level by air.
PNG Tribal Foundation, working in partnership with Manalos Aviation and the newly established Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary Police Air Wing, has successfully coordinated an aerial response to assist victims of a brutal SARV attack in the remote Karimui LLG in Simbu Province recently.
A policeman from Kundiawa Police Station who works closely with the PNG Tribal Foundation on SARV cases in Simbu Province contacted the Tribal Foundation last Thursday night seeking urgent air support for victims who had been tortured last Sunday in Wenaiyo Village, Karimui Local Level Government.
PNG Tribal Foundation President GT Bustin immediately contacted Jürgen Ruh, Managing Director, Chief Executive Officer, and Chief Pilot of Manalos Aviation.
“We need the air force for this SARV case. Can you please see if the police helicopter is available?” Bustin asked.
The request set in motion a rapid collaboration between Manalos Aviation, Tribal Foundation, and the Royal PNG Constabulary. Mr. Ruh contacted Police Commissioner David Manning, who approved the mission.
The partnership between Manalos Aviation and the Tribal Foundation dates back to 2022, when the two organizations worked together to transport a critically ill young girl from Morobe Province for life-saving specialist surgery.
As part of the operation, officers from Mobile Squad 13 based in Lae, working alongside police from Kundiawa, arrested nine alleged perpetrators accused of torturing and seriously injuring four people and killing another.
The attack followed false accusations of sorcery surrounding the death of an elderly man in the village last month.
“This operation marks a significant milestone in the country’s response to SARV,” said GT Bustin.
“We want to sincerely thank the officers from Mobile Squad 13, the Kundiawa police, Manalos Aviation, Provincial Police Commander Superintendent Manzuc Rubiang, and Police Commissioner David Manning for their outstanding leadership and commitment. This is the first time a coordinated aerial police response has been deployed for a SARV case in Papua New Guinea. It sends a clear message that these crimes will not be tolerated. It is time to end the senseless torture and killing of innocent people.”
PNG Tribal Foundation will continue working closely with police investigators in Kundiawa and the Office of the Public Prosecutor to ensure those responsible are prosecuted and held fully accountable under the law.
Mr Bustin said the incident becomes the 66th active case, both SARV and GBV cases supported by Tribal Foundation across the country.