Philip Polewara

PNGDF Chief-of-Staff, Philip Polewara, says the troops will be flown to Hagen today and make their way to Mendi.

He says at present the situation on ground is tense.

Polewara further confirmed that defence reinforcements have come in from Tari and have set up guards for the hospital, police station and CS properties.

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.