PNGDF

PNGDF Chief of Force Preparations, Colonel Siale Diro confirmed this whilst giving an update on the patrol operations along the borders.

“We have 2PRIR; the second battalion, they have taken over the whole border.”

2RPIR’s operations extend from Daru in the southern and all the way up to Wutung and Vanimo in the north, positioned all along the border.

Colonel Diro also commended the recent boost in enhancement of communication equipment from the Australian Defense Force.

PNGDF Commander, Brigadier General, Gilbert Toropo says that operational effectiveness will remain the forces theme, with the support to APEC18 being the focus.

Commander Toropo said he is confident and trusts that the force can continue to be transformed.

“Over the past four years, the force has grown to be a fitter and better disciplined. We have worked at and are working on our leadership, focusing on the projects that will help define how we will adjust in growing as a force to 10, 000 by 2030.”

In his address at the end-of-year parade this morning at Murray Barracks, PNGDF Commander, Brigadier-General Gilbert Toropo, said 2017 has been very successful for the PNGDF.

This goes as well for the dedication and commitment of all ranks in the Force.

Toropo said while the PNGDF have been beset by financial and other challenges this year as with previous years, they have achieved some tremendous results as well.

“We have continued to transform the Force while undertaking our core tasks with commitment and professionalism.”

Participating were officers from the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary, the PNG Defence Force, the PNG Correctional Services and the St John Ambulance.

The officers had undergone three weeks of intense Public Order Management (POM) training aimed to erect an effective safety and security cell that will manage public disorder during the APEC summit.

Police Commissioner, Gari Baki, says because it is a joint operation, they are finalising logistics and should have the security personals travel either by Friday or Saturday into Mt Hagen and onto Mendi.

He has confirmed that they are looking at stationing 400 to 500 security personals in Southern Highlands Province.

An investigation team will be on ground as well to investigate how the fighting and destruction took place.

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The Defence Minister and Member for Telefomin Solan Mirisim, PNGDF Commander Brigadier General, Gilbert Toropo and Customs Commissioner, Ray Paul flew into Tumolbil village in Yapsie LLG to launch the new patrol post site.

An official ground breaking ceremony was held to welcome the high profile delegation into the border village.                

Tumolbil village is one of the remotest parts of PNG villages situated right on the border with Indonesia and the Telefomin district. 

Hundreds of villages turned up in numbers to welcome the delegation.

Joint Operations commander, Colonel Ezekia Wenzel says that the report will be to identify challenges and come up steps to rectify them ahead of future joint operations.

Wenzel says that there are still some troops present in Hela and Enga following the major withdrawal of the main contingent who were out on operations.

He says that there are between 120 to 130 troops making up the skeletal force on ground and maintaining a presence to assist with security tasks.

The first group left Mt Hagen on Thursday while the remaining will leave today.

Farewelling the first contingent of soldiers yesterday, Joint Task Force 1 Operation Commander, Major Adrian Soti said he was pleased with the overall performance for his team during the polling in the Highlands region.

He described the polling in the highlands region as peaceful and not as violent as compared to the previous elections.