WESTERN Provincial Disaster Committee (PDC) has issued a strong warning to people living at the Western border to obey current restrictions imposed on the Solomon Islands/Papua New Guinea Border.
In a statement last week PDC acting chairman Patrick Toiraena said illegal border crossers must stop.
“…people can face consequences and can be arrested by police and face charges for the offense,” Mr Toiraena who is also the deputy provincial secretary, said.
He issued this warning on behalf on the Provincial Health Emergency Operation Centre (PHEOC) and the Provincial Disaster Committee (PDC) after 17 people from Shortland Islands were detained by the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) for illegally crossing the SI/PNG Border.
He said this brings the total number of people detained by police to 25 including five dependent children on March 26th.
He said 14 of these 25 have already appeared before the Gizo Magistrates Court on 4th April.
He said all detainees were quarantined in Gizo, Noro and Nila in Shortland Islands.
“Two male adults have been released from police custody and have appeared in court on 8th April,” Mr Toiraena said.
“Among the 25 people detained one is a female who will appear in court on a later date.”
He said some of those detained were also tested positive for COVID-19.
“The key message of the border restrictions from the PDC and P-DOC is for the good people of Shortland Islands elsewhere not to cross the SI/PNG border as it is an illegal thing to do especially under the current State of Public Emergency,” the chairman said.
“Failure to comply will end up being arrested and face prosecution by the Law Enforcement Authority.”
All he illegal crossers were arrested by Papua New Guinea police in Buin (Bougainville) at Kangou Beach and were later transferred to the RSIPF officers at the border.
By ULUTAH GINA
GIZO NEWS BUREAU
