Security Forces

Held in Port Moresby from May 19 to May 22, 2023, the summit witnessed successful security operations, enabling world leaders and delegates to engage in important discussions without major disruptions.

NCD/Central Commander Assistant Commissioner Anthony Wagambie Junior oversaw the special security operations. He commended the members of the three disciplinary forces, for an outstanding performance.

He said NGI had achieved the goal of delivering a free, fair and safe election where the leaders were elected without election related incidents.

“Despite some few incidents that were reported, the security forces managed to have the situations under control and restore peace as soon as possible,” says ACP N’Dranou.

Police Minister William Onglo said the security team deployed on Tuesday includes a squad from Mendi and a mobile unit in Hagen.

The deployment follows a meeting by the National Executive Council, which endorsed for early security operations in the entire Highlands region leading up to 2022 National General Elections. 

The Prime Minister, Peter O’Neill told Loop PNG that the number of security forces will increase in the next few days.

The PM’s response came after Shadow Minister for Democratic Institutions and the Rule of Law, Kerenga Kua released a statement claiming that O’Neill must be blamed for the lawlessness behavior happening in Southern Highlands and Hela Provinces.

Kua claimed that regular incidents of violence and lawlessness are taking place in these two provinces without the lack of government supervised interventions.

The security force will comprise of members of the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary, the PNG Defence Force, and the Correctional Services.

Both the PNGDF and the CS will contribute 500 personnel each while the RPNG makes up the majority of the security force.

Personnel will be deployed in March to begin its intelligence gathering and surveillance programs of identified hot spot areas prone to violence during election periods. The hot spot areas covers both land and sea (piracy).