BPS Director Norvert Yano stated in public announcement yesterday that government properties such as boats, vehicles, furniture, computers and other equipment used by government employees in their respective jobs or recorded in the government inventories are missing.
Yano said any person who is in possession of these properties that she or he did not purchase through the Supply Office or did not obtain through legitimate means is requested to turn in or report its whereabouts to the Police so that it can be picked up.The Director said no questions will be asked and the person holding the property will not be charged if it will be returned in the next ten days.Yano said the ten-day grace period started yesterday, February 2 until February 12.Yano said after the ten-day grace period, any person or persons found to be in possession of any government property without the proper authorization will be charged and prosecuted.BPS added that any information about the location of any government property, the public can call Crime Stoppers at 4888477, or at the Office of the BPS Director at 4882324 or at his cellphone 7757939 so that the property can be picked up.BPS added that an assault rifle known as Mini-M14 and two magazines containing 21 bullets are also missing.The rifle was last seen in December at the trunk of the black Lexus sedan used by former President Tommy Remengesau.A reward of$5,000 will be given to any person who can provide information leading to the recovery of the rifle and magazines.BPS said that Palau government has asked the assistance of the US Federal Bureau of Investigation to investigate the missing government properties and the rifle.BPS said that under Palau law, only Law Enforcement Officers and soldiers may possess and use firearms and ammunition in the execution and course of their duties.Any person who is not a law enforcement officer found to be in possession of any gun including the missing rifle will be subject to a mandatory prison term of 15 years for the unlawful possession of a firearm and a mandatory 5-year sentence for each ammunition or bullet unlawfully possessed.
