Defence force improves security

By JACKLYN SIRIAS
THE PNG Defence Force continues to improve its security at the main borders of the country, says chief of force preparation Col Siale Diro.
“Our components for border operations are to detect threats, respond to them and protect the country from them,” he told The National. Diro said they intended to look at addressing the overall security of the country’s border through those three functions, especially during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) summit using a number of means.
“We intend to do that through aerial surveillance, establish intelligence network along the border with our people and use different types of surveillance technology on hand.”
Diro said they were also looking at using aerial platform or aircraft or imagery assistance that could be provided by local leaders to help them protect the borders from threat.
“They will continue to be a challenge because these platforms are quite expensive and resource-intensive but it is our intent to provide sufficient and operationally appropriate surveillance both for our land and maritime borders,” Diro said.
He said under the defence cooperation programme with their Australian Defence counterpart, surveillance was among many challengers they would be looking at addressing together.
Meanwhile, Diro said soldiers at the second Royal Pacific Island Regiment at Moem Barracks in East Sepik were providing full security at the PNG-Indonesian border while the 1RPIR soldiers at Taurama and Murray Barracks were focusing on assisting police in providing security for the Apec meeting.