Praise for soldiers’ role during Apec Summit

The army was praised again for the role it played in last year’s Apec Summit as it celebrated its 68th anniversary yesterday.
The Royal Pacific Islands Regiment was formed in 1951, six years after the end of World War 2.
“I am grateful for your hard work and commitment during the recent Apec event when you did extremely well providing security,” said Colonel Siale Diro at yesterday’s celebrations at Taurama Barracks, Port Moresby.
The army celebrated with a church service and cutting of an anniversary cake.
Diro said the regiment was born at Taurama and it was therefore important to recognise and remember the traditional Motu-Koitabu landowners who were hosting the military on their land.
“We come together to remember the day, that we have many challenges to look back on and to learn from them and be ready for the future,” said Diro, who is third in command in the military.
He said the Defence Force was a national organisation that represented all the tribes in Papua New Guinea and had seen active service in Vanuatu, Bougainville and the Solomon Islands.
He challenged the soldiers to continue to serve the country.
The regiment has two battalions, one at Taurama and one at Wewak, in East Sepik.