Judge: PNGDF’s internal probe unsatisfactory

THE Papua New Guinea Defence Force (PNGDF) internal investigation process has not satisfactorily addressed the concerns raised by its serving members, Defence Force Judge Panuel Mogish has said.
Justice Mogish said that a common concern related to the delay was the PNGDF’s redress of grievance (ROG) process.
Justice Mogish made his comments after the unsatisfactory state of affairs within the PNGDF ROG process at the signing of an agreement between the PNGDF and the Ombudsman Commission to work together.
“This to some extent contributed to the PNGDF becoming less responsive to finalising their grievances,” Mogish said.
The Defence Force judge said the PNGDF had acknowledged the deficiency within its ROG process.
He added that the force had sought to enhance and strengthen ROG process by engaging the Ombudsman Commission.
PNGDF has an internal redress of grievance (ROG) process for serving members under section 50 of the Defence Act. 
Mogish said the ROG process is the PNGDF internal mechanism which allows a member of force who has suffered any personal oppression, injustice or ill-treatment; or has any other cause for grievance to raise their complaints with their superior officer.
“It is the duty of an officer receiving a complaint under this section-(a) to investigate it or have it investigated as soon as practicable; and (b) to take such steps within his authority for redressing the grievance as it appear to him,” he said.
He said the Ombudsman Commission would not investigate a complaint in the PNGDF until the complaint lodged by the serving member has been processed through the internal ROG process.
“It (Ombudsman Commission) can investigate complaints about unreasonable delays in the ROG process, or complaints from members who have not been informed about the progress of their ROG at anytime,” Mogish said.
He thanked the OC and PNGDF for their efforts in signing an agreement to work together.