Onglo wants politics out of PNG Defence Force operations

DEFENCE Minister Willie Onglo agreed with his predecessor Solan Mirisim that politics must never be allowed to interfere in the operation of the defence force.
The two men shook hands during a handing-over ceremony in Port Moresby.
Mirisim resigned from Cabinet to join the Opposition camp planning to move a vote of no confidence against Prime Minister Peter O’Neill.
Onglo said they both agreed that politics should be left out of the defence force, and that programmes and operations must continue no matter what the political situation was. He said he was to speed up programmes and drive changes in the defence force.
“I am keen to work with Commander PNGDF Major-General Gilbert Toropo and acting Secretary for Defence Trevor Meauri to pursue outstanding work.”
Onglo said he was not going to reinvent the wheels but to work within the defence programmes and priorities.
His focus will be on infrastructure rehabilitation, soldiers’ capability development and welfare, creating more value in defence bilateral relations and the completion of the Defence White Paper.