Security Operations

New Ireland Provincial Police Commander, Felix Nebanat, highlighted this in a final briefing with the Namatanai team recently.

Nebanat said he was impressed with the high standard of professionalism displayed by every member of the joint security force, adding he was overwhelmed with the outcome of operations in general, despite minor hiccups that were swiftly dealt with to ensure the smooth running of the election process.

In a true esprit de corps nature, they served with honour and integrity to see this 2022 election for the province come to a conclusion.

He said news from around the country have been mixed, with some reporting quiet and peaceful polling whilst others reported instances of attempted hijacking of the election process as reported in Hela and the Enga Province.

Mr Manning has called on his officers to support one another during this time.

“This is a test for all of us. We do not have the luxury nor the option to give up. Be assured we are doing our level best to maintain the electoral process. We have many servicemen and women who believe in our country and are committed patriotic Papua New Guineans.

Eastern Highlands Provincial Police Commander, Superintendent Alex N’Drasel said 700 personnel from NCD, Lae and Madang will be joining the 316 local police officers.

Police from NCD and Lae, including CS officers have already arrived in the province.

PPC N’Drasel said the PNG Defence Force Quick Response Unit will be arriving this week.

The province has been divided into two commands for Election Security Operation - an Eastern and Western Command.

The Commanders of the two zones are responsible for security there.

Manus Provincial Police Commander, Chief Inspector David Yapu, said the personnel were given a briefing on Saturday and are now out in full force.

Foot beat and motorist patrols, roadblocks and raids of suspected areas for homebrew, drugs and firearms, will be conducted during the operation.

PPC Yapu said the team will also be carrying out awareness on election related offences, monitor the sale of liquor and black markets, as well as monitor campaign activities.

The parade formation will be at IEA (Mt Hagen Big Rooster) and will march through Waghi Parade and reform in an orderly fashion at the Queen Elizabeth Park.

The arrival of the parade hosts, Commissioner for Police, Gari Baki and the reviewing officer, Chief Secretary to the Government, Isaac Lupari is expected at around 9:45am.

The parade will comprise of parade commander, Superintendent David Seine (PPC Simbu) and Parade Sgt Major Chief Sergeant William Manu.

Police Commissioner Gari Baki will launch the security operations for Manus, East New Britain, New Ireland and West New Britain provinces in Lorengau.

Host and Acting Manus Provincial Police Commander, senior inspector David Yapu, said all preparations for the launch are in place, and he thanks Commissioner Baki for choosing Manus to launch the NGI operations.

For Manus province alone, a combined security operation will consist of Police, Correctional Service and PNG Defence Force personnel, with some assistance to come from the East New Britain province.

Assistant Commissioner of  Operations David Manning informed PNG Loop there was a full briefing conducted by the RPNGC, PNGDF and PN CS to go over capacity requirements.

Manning outlined that the main area of focus would be to build and enhance security requirements for the three disciplined forces that will be providing the basis of the in-country security.

He says that all force reps were told to align all their training and preps to beef up in terms of intelligence-based operations.