Two men who witnessed the murder of Reza Barati at the Manus Island detention centre in 2014 fear for their safety after the man they testified against escaped from jail.
Convicted killer Joshua Kaluvia escaped from the local jail for the second time last Saturday, prompting a warning to immigration officials to increase security at the detention centre.
Police commander David Yapu described Kaluvia as a "high-risk" escapee and said he had concerns for the safety of the community and the two witnesses.
"That is my big worry," Mr Yapu told Fairfax Media when asked about the safety of the witnesses. "The sooner we get him back behind bars, the better."
Benham Satah and Hamid Nezhad say they spent a sleepless night at the detention centre after learning of the escape on Thursday. The centre was declared an open facility after Papua New Guinea's highest court ruled last April that the detention of around 1000 asylum seekers was unconstitutional.
"I have nothing to protect myself. My mind is not working," Mr Satah told Fairfax Media. "Maybe he comes with some people and the door is open."
Both men had refused to submit their claims for refugee status because they say they would fear for their lives if released into the community after testifying against Kaluvia.
Kaluvia, a former Salvation Army worker at the detention centre, was sentenced to three years and four months' hard labour after being convicted of the murder when locals and staff turned on detainees in February 2014.
He escaped from the jail last March and was recaptured before being found guilty in April, along with another local, Louie Efi. PNG police have long expressed frustration that two expats who they believe were involved in the murder had been able to leave the country before being questioned.
After been given negative refugee status and threatened with deportation, both witnesses resolved to cooperate with PNG immigration officials and Mr Nezhad lodged his application last week.
Mr Satah was due to speak to a lawyer on Friday before submitting his protection application and being interviewed by PNG immigration officials on Saturday.
He says he has not left his room since hearing of the escape and will not go to any interview until Kaluvia is re-captured.
"I am genuine refugee, 100 per cent. If I give my claims I will be found a genuine refugee, but now my mind is not working to go and talk," Mr Satah said.
Mr Yapu said Kaluvia took the opportunity to escape when prisoners at the jail in Lorengau were taken to the local beach to shower because of water problems at the jail.
"I went to Radio Manus and appealed to people in the community, if there is any information on his whereabouts, they need to pass it to the police so we can arrest him and bring him back," he said.
Mr Yapu said police had also alerted immigration authorities so that security could be increased at the centre to protect Mr Satah and Mr Nezhad.
Local MP Ronny Knight said he was not concerned at the escape. "It's a case of a young man that is homesick. He has absconded several times accumulating six months each time. He will hand himself in and get another six months," he said.