PACIFIC BRIEFS: GUN FIGHT SUSPECTS APPEAR IN COURT

SAMOA – One of the men involved in a gun fight with police in Samoa before Christmas last year has been charged with possession of narcotics.

Acting Police Commissioner Fauono Talalelei Tapu said the charge stems from police retrieving a bag containing a substantial amount of marijuana from the vehicle the men used to barricade themselves inside while shooting at police. The defendant is the second to be charged in relation to the shooting incident who are also facing attempted murder charges. The charge of attempted murder is in relation to the injury sustained by one of the officers during the gunfight. Both men continue to be in police custody while they wait the next day of mention for their case on February 16.

PNG TEACHERS THREATEN MASS WALKOUT

PAPUA NEW GUINEA – Papua New Guinea’s Opposition leader, Don Polye, has expressed concerns over the possible mass exit of teachers at the start of the school year this week. Teachers in the Highlands region have threatened to boycott classes unless they’re paid leave entitlements owed to them from last year. The PNG Teachers Association says teachers are entitled to a leave fare to allow them to travel to their home provinces, but teachers in Enga, Western Highlands, Eastern Highlands and Jiwaka only received half their entitlements or missed out altogether. Polye says it’s worrying that the government’s neglience in taking good care of the welfare of teachers may result in court action or the withdrawal of teachers’ services.

MORE DELAYS IN POLICE KILLING TRIAL

AMERICAN SAMOA – A new date has been set in the murder trial of Siaumau Siaumau Jr, who is accused of shooting dead police detective lieutenant Liusila Brown, and the attempted murder of two other police officers in 2010. The case was initially set for trial last month however Siaumau told the court that he no longer wishes for the attorney from the Public Defender’s Office to represent him and for the court to give him time to find a new lawyer. Deputy Attorney General Mitzie Jessop objected, saying it is a more than five year old case and the longer it’s delayed the more it will be difficult to move forward. She added that the people of American Samoa and the victims of this case deserve early resolution of the matter.

TREMOR SHAKES BUILDINGS IN APIA

SAMOA – A minor tremor that struck Samoa on Friday afternoon was not strong enough to generate a tsunami. The earthquake struck 185 kilometres south west of Apia during the lunch hour. Senior Scientific Officer for the Geophysics Section of the Meteorology Division of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, Ali‘imalemanu Malaefatu Leavasa, said the quake.measured 4.6 on the Richter scale at exactly 12.35pm local time. Ali‘imalemanu said it was strongly felt by people using big buildings, like the six storey structures in Apia. He said the tremor was the sixth earthquake to have hit Samoa this month. A powerful 6.8-magnitude earthquake struck off Vanuatu on Friday, the United States Geological Survey said, but no tsunami threat was detected.

EMPLOYEES CAUGHT STEALING PROPERTY

SAMOA – In Samoa, police are investigating widespread claims of theft and selling properties belonging to the Electric Power Corporation. Acting Police Commissioner, Fauono Talalelei Tapu, confirmed that it is likely several people will be charged. He also confirmed that the materials stolen and sold by the employees included copper wire and other important equipment belonging the corporation. EPC’s 5er, Tologata Tile Tuimaleali’ifano, confirmed that the services of seven employees of the corporation were terminated as a result of an investigation he had initiated after being tipped off about the offending.