Keep soldiers busy with border patrols

 LAST month’s incident involving soldiers of Taurama Barracks destroying property at 7-Mile settlement is unjustifiable.

The commander of the PNGDF should be held fully responsible.

Indeed, what are his plans and strategies for PNGDF infantry soldiers to be trained to patrol our borders instead of staying in the barracks doing nothing?

They are supposed to be occupied with operational duties patrolling our borders.

They are trained soldiers, so deploy them to protect our borders with West Papua. 

Did we not read earlier this year that there were only one or two ill-equipped border guards trying to patrol huge areas of the border?

The defence council must advise the government to revitalise the border patrol programme which has been abandoned, it seems.

Total neglect and poor leadership has affected PNGDF activities in the last two decades. 

Something must be done quickly. 

The lack of funding is no excuse.  

There is no security for the people living close to the border with Indonesia.

Deploy our soldiers to such areas to do surveillance and monitor our borders. 

What is the use of having soldiers living in barracks in the capital when many of them forget discipline and cause trouble for civilians in the capital?

Ex-Soldier

Lae