On the morning of April 18, 2022, PHC teams at the Lokutu site were informed of the discovery of a dead body with multiple gunshot wounds in a forest within the PHC concession. The body was identified as that of a PHC harvester who works in Makau Division.
The family of the deceased informed PHC that he left their residence on the morning of April 16 to inspect his animal traps in the forest. When the deceased failed to return home by late evening on April 17, the family went looking for him, which led to the discovery of the body. With the support of local authorities, the family recovered the body on April 18. PHC expresses its deepest condolences to the family of the victim, as well as to the workers of PHC, particularly those of the Makau division who lost their colleague.
The national police have launched an investigation to identify the perpetrator of this heinous crime. PHC strongly condemns this horrific act and hopes that the perpetrator will be identified, apprehended and brought to justice. The company is concerned about the insecurity in the region of its concession, and will continue to fully support the execution of justice to resolve this incident and prevent other similar incidents.
Details of the investigation will be communicated as soon as they are obtained from the authorities.