CHIEF PAIS TO APPEAR IN COURT

 

Chief Hillary Pais asking for understanding for his people's suffering. He is now facing a court appearance on April 18 in Gizo for crossing the PNG and Solomon Islands border into Buin in South Bougainville. 

13 CHARGED FOR BREACHING COVID-19 BORDER LOCKDOWN 

Chief Hillary Pais of Gaomae village in Shortland Islands is among 13 villagers charged with crossing the PNG and Solomon Islands border into Buin in South Bougainville. 

The 13 Shortlands Islanders will appear in court on April 18, 2022 in Gizo.

They were charged under covid 19 Emergency Act of 2021 which restricts small craft movement across the border.

Each were released on bail, Western Provincial Police Commander Chief Superintendent Mathias Lenialu said in a press release.

Shortlands Islanders in Buin to buy food last month. 

Initially 23 villagers were taken to the Gizo and Noro Police stations from Shortlands last week.

The other 10 people were released without charge.

Mr Lenialu said they were charged with one count of restriction of movement of small craft vessels contrary to clause 4 (b) and (c) of the Emergency Powers (COVID-19) (Restriction of Movement of Small Craft Vessels) (Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea Border) Order 2020, to be read with Regulation 17 (1), (a) (i) and (3) of the Emergency Powers (COVID-19) (No.3) Regulation 2021.

He said that the 13 defendants were released on strict bail conditions while waiting to appear in court.

Chief Superintendent Lenialu said communities have to be responsible and take ownership through changing their attitude.

A mother and her children protesting the border closure at Harapa PRT base Harapa. 

"We are not in normal times. If we decide to ignore the regulations then we will face the consequences," Mr Lenialu said.

However the islanders have been facing severe food shortages since the COVID-19 lockdown.

Chief Pais had said before his arrest that the Solomon Island government had failed to send promised relief supplies, and that his people were surviving on sago, wild taro and smoked fish.

Chief Pais led 2 groups of people into Buin on separate occasions to buy much need fuel and food supplies.

While the locals of Orava and Buin welcomed them with open arms, it was the PNG police in cahoots with the Solomon Islands police who harassed the innocent hungry civilians in the name of Covid.