The recent restructuring of the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary command throughout the country by Commissioner David Manning has irked a few provincial political heads.
Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG]) is one of them, putting claim that the decision of transferring Anthony Wagambie Jr to the Autonomous Region of Bougainville [AROB] breaches the Peace Agreement.
Wagambie Jr was Police Commander for NCD – Central before the recent posting to AROB as deputy police chief.
Internal Security Minister and Bougainville Regional MP, Peter Tsiamalili Jnr has thrown his defense to Commissioner Manning, clarifying “the decision is not unconstitutional as Section 26 of the Organic Law on Peace Building on Bougainville and Section 237 of the Bougainville Peace Agreement highlights only that the Bougainville Police Commander should be appointed in consultation with the Bougainville Government.”
He added that, the specific laws do not mention the position of the ‘deputy chief of police’ of the Bougainville Police Service and that the appointment of [Anthony] Wagambie Jr to the position of deputy chief of police is the prerogative of the Police Commissioner.
Following the official public announcement by Commissioner Manning, ABG Attorney-General Ezekiel Masatt claimed, Section 26 of the Organic Law and section 237 of the Bougainville Peace Agreement had been breached.
“In appointing the Head of the Bougainville Police Service, the Commissioner must consult with the Bougainville Government and it is the nominee from the Bougainville Government that is to be appointed,” Masatt said.
Meanwhile, Police Commissioner David Manning said recent appointments have been made within constitutional and regulatory requirements.
“l am aware that some vested interests have raised questions about the appointment of senior police, and have been using back channels in a vain attempt to have postings stopped,” the Commissioner said.
“Regional postings are part of the job of being a committed police officer and serving the people of the country for which we swore an oath to protect.
“When it comes to senior provincial appointments, as Commissioner I will always take on board the views and perspectives of local authorities. From this I will make independent decisions that are in the interests of strengthening law and order in every province and the Autonomous Region of Bougainville,” Manning said.
