Alleged arms training of civilians condemned

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DEFENCE Force Commander Maj-Gen Gilbert Toropo has condemned the alleged arms training of civilians by soldiers, calling it a “dangerous trend”.
Pictures allegedly of military officers training civilians on how to use military weapons at the Goldie River training depot in Central went viral on social media last week.
“This is a dangerous trend by our staff (weapon instructors) and they will be investigated,” he said.
“We don’t teach civilians on how to operate our weaponry system. And we will also investigate these civilians and their interests.”
The pictures showed a Government officer and a businessman handling military-issued weapons at the training depot in Central.

13 comments

  • Check the two out…maybe training for small arms skills in preparation or anticipation of illegal guns acquired for tribal warfare up in their highlands villages.

  • Soldiers receiving bribes to carry out such training exercise. PNGDF please investigate and dismiss those involved.

  • Toropo is long overdue for replacement…and hold all these people (business man and public servants) responsible for all the killings and supplying of guns to the communities. Even the PNGDF personnel needs to be seriously disciplined.

  • Nothing is wrong. Countries like USA, Israel and few others, it is mandatory for every citizen to learn how to use weapons so that they can be prepared in the events of war or attacks.
    Let’s not follow the crowd but look outside our own space.

    • Moses Mini, that’s true these overseas countries do that cos their laws permit them (USA, every citizen has the right to bear arms). However, in png we don’t have laws like they do and we are prone to tribal fights and many other dangerous trends associated with it. If people with ill intentions do this, it won’t be a good story at the end! We are trying to practice like other civilized countries but our mind set is not there yet!

  • PNGDF might say this is an isolated incident to cover up; I bet this must be a norm amongst the DF members and thanks to social media it has now come to light. Need to invetigate and take appropriate action against the officers involved. Its time to make example of them for others to learn from and know such illegal practises wont go unpunish.

  • Mr Prime Minister, why keep the commission for the fast regime. When we are compressed, suppressed then we turn out to do silly things….this is the real time for change required.

  • So called disciplinary forces and why are they doing these? This have to be investigated and held accountable.

  • Thats what happens when there is no leadership and when standards are being compromised. Commander of PNGDF, I believe similar activities have been happening in the units around the Nation, just because this has now been talked a lot on in social media dosent call for you to come out and condemn it openly, this is just a pretentious act! It has to be legally right in the army for such to go on in a while, if it is not then why condemn it now????
    Shame!

  • The lawlessness in PNG has increased to a level that every citizen need to be armed for self defence purposes to protect themselves and their families. Do away with gun laws and sell guns and arms in the shops just like any other commodity. Why are certain people given permit to purchase and own guns while the majority of citizens are denied.

  • The recruitment process of our disciplinary forces/ and government sectors are denying the rights of every citizen (young generation) to move on with their careers in life. Every year we must do recruiting of the young school leavers graduating from the national high schools and secondary high schools but that’s not happening here. Why? That’s the reason our young generation turn to illegal activities just to earn their living.

  • Just see where these people come from and you can conclude in whatever reasons you what to make. Just as the nation is going through mourning of JK, caused by man of the same ethnic group, and yet others of the same grouping doing illegal act supported by CO of that unit. Would there be actions taken against all parties involved? Over to you PNGDF Chief of Staff. This really shows how corrupt the country is. From the Political level to all the Gov’t agencies down to Bureaucratic level and certain ethnic groups. PNG is potentially another African nation.

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