PM Marape extends joint-security presence

News that matter in Papua New Guinea

PM Marape extends joint-security presence

PORT MORESBY: Prime Minister James Marape has announced an extension of military and police presence in Hela, Southern Highlands and Enga for another 12 months.

The special operations begin on Jan 1.

Marape said the operation would be different from previous call-outs and would give more power to police and army to protect lives and properties.

The news break was reported by The National:

PM extends joint security presence

December 20, 2022The NationalMain Stories

By REBECCA KUKU
PRIME Minister James Marape has announced an extension of military and police presence in Hela, Southern Highlands and Enga for another 12 months.
The special operation begins on Jan 1.
Marape said the operation would be different from previous call-outs and would give more power to police and army to protect lives and public properties.
“The special operation will also cover important resource project areas like Porgera, Hides and Kutubu as well as all areas of Hela, Southern Highlands and Enga.
“Those who carry guns — homemade or factory made — will be jailed for life under laws already passed by Parliament. We have seen the weaknesses of the last two to three years, and we will be giving more powers to police and army to carry out their work.”
“I do not want to see one more police officer or soldier losing their lives to criminal elements.
“If you are enemy of police or army, then you are an enemy of the State and society,” he said.
Police commissioner David Manning told The National that the call out extension for 12 months will run through till Feb 20, 2024.
Manning said the call out was to restore peace and security back into the communities after General Election 2022 (GE22).
“We have already begun deployment, and the call out operations will begin on Jan 1.
“Due to manpower challenges in the constabulary, the Papua New Guinea Defence Force will be assisting us in this extension of the call out in Hela, Southern Highlands and Enga,” he said.
PNGDF commander Major General Mark Goina said he was waiting for the Police Commissioner to put together a plan for the one-year extension and give him a copy before he can say anything on the matter.
“We will just be assisting police, so police will take the lead, our plans will be based off from whatever plan police puts forward and we will provide manpower and support to implement the call out,” he said.
Meanwhile, the newly appointed chief secretary Ivan Pomaleu said he has not sighted the National Executive Council decision to extend the call out and was not able to comment on the subject.
A K11 million special call-out operation was first announced in 2017 that saw 300 security personnel from both Police and the PNGDF deployed to Hela to deal with the escalating tribal fights.

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