PNGDF Navy

The elevation in the rank of Commodore Philip Polewara, Deputy Chief of the PNGDF from Captain (Navy) took place at the military headquarters, Murray Barracks. 

Commodore Polewara is from Vunapope, Kokopo, East New Britain Province. In 1986, he graduated from the Defense Force Academy as an army second Lieutenant then the following year in 1987, he underwent the conversion and became a naval officer. A career path he has pursued to this day.

A team was sent out on Tuesday and today to continue assessment of the situation.

The vessels were towed out of Fairfax Harbour on Monday by the PNG Defence Force Navy vessel HMPNGS Buna to a sinking site outside Port Moresby. 

However, due to bad weather, they were left on a reef off the coast of Fisherman Island.

The destruction was organised by the National Fisheries Authority and planned to be carried out by the PNGDF Navy's explosive ordinance and diving team.

Simon Merton, management consultant at MMS PNG Ltd in Madang posted on his facebook page about the incident.

He told Loop PNG that his wife was assaulted and their adopted 11 year old daughter is traumatized.

He said they were allegedly attacked while on their way home.

“We encountered a large group of drunk Navy personnel from Boat 04 who were brawling and blocking the street outside a night club next door to where I reside,” Merton said.  

“When I asked them to move off the road so we could pass through, they proceeded to assault me and my family.