The three defence members, identified among the group of security personnel detained yesterday in Kokopo, have been cleared by PNGDF as getting approved leave.
However, a directive issued by the Office of the Chief of Staff this morning has called for the two men employed with the S.O.S security firm to be disengaged from that employment.
The Joint Operations commander, Colonel Esekia Wenzel, says one of the men was on emergency leave en route to Kavieng but was taken in by police as he was in the same airplane that the group of men were on.
The other two defence men, despite being on approved leave, will need to cease employment with the S.O.S security service firm.
Wenzel says the directive from the office of the chief of staff is to ensure that the PNGDF reputation is not being questioned with their involvement with companies that are associated, or owned by persons who are intending candidates or politically affiliated.
Wenzel says the S.O.S security firm is understood to be owned by Walter Schnaubelt, who is currently contesting the Namatanai Open seat in New Ireland Province.
He warns that the two soldiers’ failure to adhere to this directive will result in them being arrested and charged accordingly.
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