Port Moresby | Tuesday, 8 July 2025 – Acting Prime Minister Hon. John Rosso has issued a powerful statement following the tragic incident in Magarima District, Hela Province, where a woman was subjected to brutal violence and loss of life over the weekend.
The incident, captured on video and widely circulated online, has sparked national and international outrage. Acting Prime Minister Rosso described the act as “barbaric, inhumane, and a direct attack on our society.”
“What I saw in that video shook me to the core,” Rosso stated. “The woman was not just a victim of violence—she was betrayed by those who should have protected her. This is not justice. This is not culture. This is cruelty, and it must be stopped.”
Rule of Law Must Prevail
Rosso reaffirmed the Government’s zero-tolerance stance on gender-based violence. He emphasized that Papua New Guinea is a nation governed by laws and cultural traditions that value restoration, dignity, and peace, not mob justice or public humiliation.
“These men have abandoned every sense of humanity,” he said. “They are not acting in the name of justice. They are not leaders. They are promoting a dangerous and destructive culture of violence.”
National Response: Full Force of Law to Be Applied
The Acting Prime Minister has ordered the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary (RPNGC) to bring all perpetrators to justice without delay.
“I have instructed Police Commissioner David Manning to use the full power of the State. No one involved in this crime will escape justice,” Rosso said. “If it means detaining the entire village to find those responsible, then that is what we will do.”
He commended the Hela Provincial Police Commander, Superintendent Michael Welly, along with local leaders, MP Hon. Manasseh Makiba, and Governor Hon. Philip Undialu, for their rapid response and for facilitating the arrest of eight suspects, including the alleged gunman.
A Call to All Men in Papua New Guinea
In one of the most passionate parts of his address, Rosso called upon all men across Papua New Guinea to take responsibility and lead the charge against violence:
“What kind of society are we building if our mothers, sisters, and daughters live in fear? Real men protect. Real men stand for justice. This is not just a government issue—it is your issue. Stand up and stop this violence.”
A National Crisis That Demands Action
Rosso made it clear that this was not just an isolated crime but a national crisis that threatens the very soul of the nation:
“This is not just a crime against one woman. It is an attack on every woman and girl in Papua New Guinea. It is an assault on our sovereignty, our values, and our future.”
He pledged to take decisive action to prevent such violence from spreading to other communities, warning that there would be no safe haven in PNG for those who commit crimes against women and girls.
“There is no justification—cultural, emotional, or otherwise—for what happened. This must end now, with absolute force and urgency.”
Closing Remarks
Acting Prime Minister Rosso concluded his statement by urging the country to treat this moment as a turning point:
“This barbaric act must not define us. It must awaken us. Let us respond as a united nation—with strength, compassion, and a commitment to end violence in all its forms.”