Police and the Papua New Guinea Defence Force (PNGDF) have dismissed rumours and social media posts of disorder and unrest in Port Moresby city following the blockade and protest conducted by some members of the military.

Police Commissioner David Manning reassures city residents that business as usual continues.

“A high-visibility police presence will continue providing reassurance that residents of our nation’s capital can go about their daily lives as usual,” the Commissioner confirmed.

“Business continues, school lesson continues, and our residents can be confident to go about their daily lives as usual.”

He said the city is calm; however, some schools and businesses have had to close doors as a precautionary measure, and it is entirely up to them.

Commissioner Manning said Police will continue surveillance on the movements and communications of known criminals around the city, with tactical units on standby to deal with any potential troublemakers.

Meanwhile, the PNGDF hierarchy has confirmed as well that their armory at the Murray Barracks has not been broken into as suggested by some social media posts going around. All weapons are intact and accounted for.

According to Captain Edward Pa’ak, the Aide De Camp to the Chief of Defence Force (CDF), the situation at Murray Barracks is de-escalating and the roadblock should be removed by this afternoon. He said as well that only a handful of soldiers are responsible for the blockade and protest, not all personnel are involved.

He also stressed that the information circuiting on social media about the armory being broken is false and urges the public not to entertain fake news circulated on social media about unrests.