Joint Security Task Force (JSTF)

Joint Security Task Force Launched

The Joint Security Task Forces who are part of the operations include personnel from the Royal PNG Constabulary, the PNG Defence Force and the PNG Correctional Service.

Police Commissioner, David Manning inspected the parade formation that consisted of three companies. That included one company each from the RPNGC, PNGDF and PNGCS.

Present also at the occasion was PNG Defence Force Commander Major General Mark Goina, and Deputy Police Commissioner, Anton Billie. 

Police boss ‘aware’ of conspiracy

He alleges the attack on Parliament was part of this conspiracy.

The Police Commissioner and Commander of the Joint Security Task Force, Gari Baki, is of the strong view that the storming of Parliament was not only politically motivated but also part of a plot to take the police commissioner’s post.

Investigate assault of reporters: Firm

PNGFM has reported the assault of a male and female staff whilst covering the storming of Parliament last Tuesday.

During the chaos on November 20th over the delay in payment of APEC allowance, Parliament staff were assaulted including members of the media.

Whilst trying to cover the situation, police and correctional service officers caught sight of the two PNGFM reporters.

In a statement, the radio station said the female reporter was manhandled by a group of police officers who pulled at her shirt, attempting to rip it.

Around 300 CS officers on site during rampage

In a press briefing today, Acting CS Commissioner, Stephen Pokanis, revealed that each institution (PNGDF, police and CS) has been tasked to conduct an internal investigation and inform the Government on actions taken.

Pokanis said a meeting was conducted with CS officers on Wednesday, where remorse was shown and weapons returned back to the armoury.

Business as usual today: Governor

Parkop said this after meeting the Members of the Security Force, together with National Parliament Speaker Job Pomat, Minister for Finance James Marape, Minister for Police Jelta Wong, and other ministers yesterday afternoon at Sir John Guise Stadium.

“Government has agreed to settle the allowances as soon as possible and we all agreed to return to duties to restore calm and normalcy to the city with immediate effect!”

Shops looted in nation’s capital

Reports have come in from Erima, Tokarara, Hohola, Waigani and Gerehu of opportunists looting, or attempting to loot, Asian-owned shops.

Residents at Waigani have reported that police had to fire teargas to disperse a gathering crowd while gunshots were heard at Gordon’s and Gerehu.

Witnesses have also reported the stoning of vehicles from the Erima to Nine-Mile road.

At around 12pm today, members of the Joint Security Task Force convoyed to the Parliament to air their grievances over the non-payment of APEC allowance.

Minister calls for Police Commissioner’s resignation

Minister Niningi made this call after members of the Joint Security Task Force rampaged the Parliament house early this afternoon.

It is believed that the officers were not happy with the non-payment of their allowances during the APEC Summit, which ended on Sunday.

Minister Niningi, who was at the corridors of the Parliament house after the rampage, said such actions by law enforcers were uncalled for.

Joint task force to hold APEC rehearsal exercise

This is in preparation for leaders’ week and lead up meetings.

The First Senior Official Meeting (SOM 1) will commence on the 24th of February to the 9th of March.

The rehearsal exercise will mostly focus on the transportation of presidents/ prime ministers and will involve motorcades into Stanley and Gateway Hotel.

The motorcade will depart from Jackson’s Airport into Stanley Hotel where a media conference will be scheduled to convene before the motorcade moves away to Gateway Hotel and concluded.

No issues between forces: Baki

Baki who is also the JSTF Commander said this in relations to questions on the history of clashes between the police and military and how this could have an impact under the JSTF.

“I do not think this similar kind of behaviour will be projected in this kind of arrangements. I don’t for one minute want for people to think that yeah you get them out and this is how they behave. No they won’t,” Baki said.

APEC Security unit set up

He announced this in a media conference during the sixth Security Partnership Working Group (SPWG6) in Port Moresby today.

Jinga said with the JSTF almost in place, a concept on how APEC 2018 will be delivered will be put developed.

“We are now in the process of setting up that unit. That unit will be located within Waigani, and the commander will lead the tam to deliver APEC 2018.

“We are now in the process of coming up with the concept of how we’re gonna deliver APEC 2018,” Jinga said.