David Yapu says Australian immigration minister’s comments are incorrect and are escalating tensions on the island • Manus Island controversy: who said what and when

This article is more than 3 years old

This article is more than 3 years old

Neither Peter Dutton or his staff have called the top police officer on Manus Island to confirm claims asylum seekers sought to lead a five-year-old local boy to the centre, and that the incident sparked the Good Friday shooting.

The Manus provincial police commander, David Yapu, has stood by his earlier reports, again telling Guardian Australia that Dutton’s comments are incorrect and adding that they are escalating tension on the island.

He also said police are not investigating the incident, in further direct contradiction to Dutton’s claims.

Manus Island controversy: who said what and when Read more

Asked if anyone from the minister’s office had called him to ask about the incident, Yapu replied: “Nobody has rung me to get confirmation or clarification on that issue.”

On Good Friday a group of armed soldiers and locals shot at the regional processing centre, forcing asylum seekers, refugees and staff members to cower in rooms or flee into nearby jungle.

Despite statements from the PNG navy and police blaming the shooting on a football field incident that escalated, Dutton publicly suggested the hostilities were sparked by three asylum seekers seen leading a five-year-old boy towards the detention centre.

“I think there was concern about why the boy was being led, or for what purpose he was being led, away back into the regional processing centre,” he told Sky News, more than a week after the shooting.

Yapu responded they were two entirely separate events and that Dutton’s details were wrong. Dutton then told the ABC he had information others didn’t “from senior people on the island”.

He refused to say what that information was or where it came from and later called on media outlets to apologise for their reporting.

“The police are investigating the incident around the five-year-old boy?” he was asked on Insiders.

“Yes they are,” Dutton replied.

On Tuesday Yapu told Guardian Australia there has been no complaint made by the parents of the young boy in question and police were not investigating.

“He’s a state minister, I don’t know his views about the issue but from me as the [provincial police commander], there is no complaint being made by the parents of the boy,” Yapu said.

Peter Dutton demands apology from media over Manus controversy Read more

“If it was an issue the parents of the boy should have reported to police so the police can carry out their normal investigations. But that is a very low-profile case and it’s unwarranted for the police to investigate. We only investigate if there is a complaint made through police.”

Yapu said the situation had returned to normal but comments such as Dutton’s were potentially dangerous, as the community was already experiencing issues of hostility between refugees and asylum seekers and the Manus community.



Both the PNG police force and navy have launched investigations, which Yapu said would be released in due course.