Polewara new deputy chief

The National Executive Council has appointed Chief of Staff and Navy Capt Philip Polewara as Papua New Guinea Defence Force (PNGDF) deputy chief. Defence Minister Solan Mirisim, in announcing the appointment, said Capt Polewara was one of the most senior military officers amongst the same rank. Capt Polewara was appointed Chief of Staff in March 2018 after having held very senior positions. He is the current incumbent in that position reporting to the PNGDF commander and is responsible for the coordination of all the activities of the force and is deemed to be the deputy commander of the PNGDF. Mirisim made the endorsement to Cabinet for his elevation based on a decision of the defence council in its meeting Sept 28, 2017, for the establishment of the office of the chief of defence force and the deputy chief of defence force per the Defence (Amendment) Act 2009. He said the defence council in its meeting recommended to NEC to make changes to the rank of the commander, PNGDF Brigadier-General to Major-General. They also recommended to NEC for the position of the chief of staff to be elevated from colonel or equivalent to the rank of Brigadier-General or equivalent and categorised as the deputy chief of defence.  According to Mirisim, on Oct 18, 2018, the NEC in its meeting approved for the promotion of Brigadier-General Gilbert Toropo to the rank of Major-General by virtue of the Defence (Amendment) Act 2009. NEC also approved to advise the Head of State to promote Brigadier -General Toropo to the rank of Major General and to be named as Chief of Defence Force (CDF) and directed the First Legislative Council to prepare the instruments for the execution by the Head of State. The Head of State executed the instruments and the Gazettal of the promotion and elevation of the Commander of the PNG Defence Force from Brigadier-General to Major-General on Nov 7, 2018.