Papua New Guinea Defence Force (PNGDF)

The PNGDF issued a public statement yesterday to confirm that the four soldiers involved in the accident are from the 1st Battalion Royal Pacific Islands Regiment’s Charlie Company.

One has been confirmed dead, while three others are in stable condition at the Mt Hagen General Hospital.

The accident took place at Keltiga outside Mt Hagen, between 4:30pm and 5pm. It was reported that the deceased died upon impact.

The PNGDF is now making repatriation plans for his remains, at the earliest possible time.

The equipment are a brand new Codon Radio Communication system and a DJ Phantom 4 drone that will be used by PNGDF for operational purposes.

The equipment was presented by the Head of Australian Defence Staff to Colonel James Kid, to PNGDF Chief of Logistics Colonel Albert Palawa.

Colonel Kid said the equipment is very important in their work, and is a sign of more and better cooperation initiatives to come from Australian Defence Force and PNG Defence Force.

The Kumul Leadership Framework package is specially written and designed by a PNGDF officer, Lt-Colonel Dickers Esso, with the help from the New Zealand Defence Force.

The leadership package will now be used to coach, train and mentor soldiers and officers of the Papua New Guinea Defence Force to become great leaders in their respective units.

It was officially launched by PNGDF Commander, Brigadier-General Gilbert Toropo, at the end of the 2017 Commanders End of Year retreat at the Kokoda Trail Motel up at Sogeri.

This follows a viral post last night on social media about defence personnel being involved in alleged hijacking and transporting of ballot papers into Kokopo, East New Britain Province.

Electoral Commissioner Patilius Gamato says these type of online posts are dangerous as they can cause tensions and unnecessary panic on ground.

He says no ballot papers were released as yet for Kokopo.

The public is being called on to be careful as the elections is an important democratic process.

PNGDF’s Chief of Staff, Colonel Ray Numa, says understanding must prevail when they are called to assist police during law enforcement operations, including this year’s elections.

Training Chief, Captain Philip Polewara, relayed Col Numa’s comments as 37 soldiers attended workshops on Military Support to Law Enforcement, run by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) at Lodge 10 in Port Moresby this week.

The monument is placed at Murray Barracks, in Port Moresby, and includes those who died in the Bougainville Crisis as well as others who have died of natural causes over the years.

PNG Defence Force Commander, Brigadier-General Gilbert Toropo, challenged his officers to serve with pride and passion.

Commander of the Papua New Guinea Defence Force, Brigadier-General Gilbert Toropo, said this during the end-of-year church service on Friday.

“As we move forward towards 2017, we can now reflect on what 2016 was like.”

Toropo says 2016 has not been an easy year for the PNGDF, with challenges of limited funds, resource and manpower capacity.

He thanked all his staff and team players for guiding the rest of the force through 2016 and ensuring that the force stayed on course in achieving some of its milestones.

Outgoing Regimental Sergeant Major (RSM) chief warrant officer Mark Sakei, has served in the force at Goldie for 21 years.

During his career, he climbed up to be the Regimental Sergeant Major of the unit, which is the highest post a soldier can get in an operating PNGDF Battalion.

His service was described by his commanding officer, Lieutenant Colonel Dickers Esso, as a man who strives to achieve the best.

Lt Colonel Esso said what the outgoing RSM Sakei has started will be pursued with dedication and vigour.