The Royal Papua New Guinea (RPNGC) is responding to confirmed reports of people being detained by armed criminals in the vicinity of Fogoma’iu Village, Hela/Southern Highlands provinces. Police Commissioner David Manning said he has been updated by Deputy Commissioner and Chief of Police Operations, Dr Philip Mitna, on negotiations to secure the release of the people that have been taken captive, with police authorised to use all necessary force to free those being held. Commissioner Manning said, “I have been briefed on the situation in which one foreign national and three PNG university students are being held by criminals in the border region of Southern Highlands, Hela and Western Provinces. “This is a delicate situation and police, in coordination with other security elements, are engaged in an operation to enable the safe release of the people involved. This is a remote area and air support has been approved.” Commissioner Manning said police are authorised to use the full force