Indonesia has lodged a diplomatic protest with Papua New Guinea after the alleged shooting of an Indonesian fishing boat captain last week.
Indonesian Ambassador to PNG, Adriana Suprandy confirmed this last night and PNG Prime Minister, James Marape confirmed an investigation is being conducted into the shooting.
“PNG will be conducting a full investigation into this matter and will inform the nation and Indonesia government too as to what happened,” Marape said.
The fishing vessel was allegedly shot at by a PNG Defence Force Guardian-class patrol boat within the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of PNG.
The fishing vessel escaped back to Merauke with the body of its dead captain while two others were being rounded up and escorted to Port Moresby.
The Australian Government has denied any involvement in the incident and of any recent joint fishing patrols with PNG.
The vessel that was shot at has been identified as KMN Calvin 02, with the captain of the vessel also identified by the Indonesian authorities.
It is alleged two other vessels have been detained by the PNGDF, the vessels identified as KMN Arsila 77 with a crew of seven and KMN Baraka Paris with a crew of six.
The Indonesian Ambassador to PNG Andriana Supandy has already communicated with various PNG government officials.
The Indonesian Embassy in Port Moresby has also submitted an official diplomatic note to convey Indonesia’s various concerns.
The boats arrived in Port Moresby at midday Sunday and are being processed at the PNGDF Basilisk base.
On board these two vessels are 13 Indonesian fishermen that have also been apprehended.
The last such incident of a shooting occurred back in 2006 with the then Deputy PM, Don Polye saying at the time that there would be an inquiry into the incident. In 2006, an Indonesian fisherman was shot with another three injured in the incident.
