Army chief acting in post

BRIG-GEN Gilbert Toropo’s four-year term as the PNG Defence Force commander has lapsed, Defence Minister Solan Mirisin says.
“Toropo is now acting as the PNGDF commander while consultation by the Public Service Commission for candidates for the new commander is going on,” he said.
“It is just a normal process. The recommendation from the PSC will then be forwarded to the National Executive Council for the appointment.”
Mirisin said Toropo’s term expired on Jan 9.
“Toropo was appointed commander in January 2014 to replace Brigadier-General Francis Agwi,” he said.
Mirisin confirmed the appointment of navy captain Colonel Philip Polewara as the new chief of staff.
“Polewara has replaced Colonel Raymond Numa. Numa retired last week after serving the force since 1977.”
Mirisin said Polewara was a highly qualified and experienced military officer who served in various senior positions that included area commander of the Igam Barracks — host of the Defence academy and engineering battalion in Lae.
“He was the chief of training at the Papua New Guinea Defence Force headquarters at Murray Barracks prior to being chief of staff.”