PNGDF commends servicemen

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By JACKLYN SIRIAS
PNG servicemen are among the best in the world, PNG Defence Force Commander Gilbert Toropo says
He said that when congratulating four soldiers  yesterday on their return from the United Nations peace-keeping mission in Sudan.
The officers are majors Qudrat Larawin,  Steven Serum,  Eddie Etato and Peter Ikau.
The officers went for a year.
All four won UN medals for their participation in the mission and Ikau was awarded a commendation by the force commander for his role in stopping a fight in Malakal (Sudan).
“I want to commend you all for the great representation and corporation that you have displayed to make PNGDF and the country proud and to put PNG on the world map as this is an internationally recognised mission,” Toropo said.
“The officers have done a professional job and delivered results. They have all been awarded UN medals but more specifically, the fourth commander recommendation in recognition of Major Peter Ikau’s professionalism to quell a very volatile situation as a leader in that part of the region in Sudan.”
Toropo urged the soldiers to not undermine themselves in the capacity that they held.
“Since 2012, we have been contributing to United Nations military observers through the UN peace-keeping mission in Dafur and South Sudan,” chief of force preparation Colonel Siale Diro said.
He said the passage of their International Obligation Bill in 2010 in parliament had enabled them to deploy those officers on the  peace-keeping mission.
Diro said they had been deploying four officers in the major ranks every year and the lot that had just returned were the fourth.
“In terms of training and preparation, we have received assistance from our friends in the Australian Defence Force and other members of the UN peace-keeping community to train our observers and get them prepared for deployment,” Diro said.