By Theckla Gunga – EMTV News, Port Moresby
An Asian man has been charged for the murder of another Asian man in Port Moresby.
Police say the two men were involved in a gun battle and one shot and killed the other.
The incident occurred inside a major shopping centre just after seven, last night. Both the suspect and the deceased are from the Philippines and police are working closely with the Philippinies Embassy in Port Moresby, to carry out investigations.
Confirmed police reports reveal that both men are security guards. One is a supervisor and the other, a junior staff. Both men were involved in an argument which led to the shoot-out. The one now deceased was the supervisor.
The junior staff is the suspect. He is in police custody and is facing a Wilful Murder Charge.
There were three others who were injured in the shootout. Of the three, one is a minor under the age of 15.
The incident occurred on the evening the National Gun Control Ban was debated in Parliament.
Police Minister Jelta Wong in his ministerial statement told parliament that tougher legislations must be imposed on the buying and selling of guns in the country.
Last week NCD police confirmed that the security company involved do have licences for purchasing guns. However, police are yet to confirm if the two men have permits to carry guns around.
The suspect will remain in police custody because of the seriousness of the case. And there is a possibility for two additional charges.
This is a rare case of Asian Nationals to be engaged in a gun battle in Papua New Guinea.
While police have commenced investigations, the identities of the two men have been withheld for legal reasons.
