Rebuilding a shattered image

 THE announcement on Fri­day that the Papua New Guinea Defence Force will pay for the construction of nine kit homes for displaced Kirakira villagers in the National Capital District signals the start of concerted efforts by the military to rebuild its shattered image. 

Defence Minister Dr Fabian Pok’s assurance to the villagers that the Defence Force will do its best to mend relations with them is most encouraging.

The villagers were the victims of a brutal attack by a group of soldiers from the Taurama Barracks on the previous weekend.

The soldiers had raided Kirakira, in the Moresby South electorate, and damaged homes and properties, after one of their comrades was killed in the village. Police reported that 10 homes were razed, with properties, trees and food gardens destroyed.

The soldier who died had reportedly visited his former wife in the village in the early hours of Saturday, June 21. 

He ended up in a fight with the woman’s new husband whose family members allegedly attacked and killed him.

Deputy Police Commissioner Jim Andrews said last week the suspects had been arrested and police were seeking the help of the Defence Force in resolving the conflict. 

“This is a police matter and should be left with police to deal with.”

Moresby South MP and Sports Minister Justin Tkat­chenko added that no one should take the law into their hands. “Many of the houses burnt had nothing to do with the incident.”

The soldiers are believed to be from the First Royal Pacific Islands Regiment (1RPIR) based at Taurama Barracks, on the outskirts of the capital city.

The Kirakira raid is the latest in a string of attacks by rogue PNGDF soldiers on innocent civilians, mostly in the NCD.

Students at the University of Papua New Guinea’s Medical Faculty were the victims of the last major attack by rogue soldiers from Taurama Barracks.

It has become almost part of their rules of engagement for Defence Force soldiers to carry out raids and attacks on civilian groups in retaliation for injuries and deaths caused to members of their regiment or battalion.

These rogue soldiers have instilled fear within the civilian population and continue to take the law into their hands without any respect for authority.

They are a menace to our society and the Defence Force hierarchy must take urgent measures to put a complete stop to their dangerous and illegal actions.

We hope the assurance by Pok that the military will come down hard on these rogue soldiers will see the light of day. “The military police is now conducting investigation and there will be no mercy for those involved in the incident. The soldiers found guilty will get the maximum penalty.”

There have been numerous warnings and assurances by previous Defence ministers and commanders to rid the PNGDF of rogue elements but with little or no effect. 

Pok is now walking the talk.

While the military police is carrying out its investigation into the Kirakira raid, Pok is arranging for funds, courtesy of Prime Minister Peter O’Neill, to pay for kit homes to replace the ones destroyed.

It is a rare gesture of goodwill that will go a long way towards rebuilding the PNGDF’s image and reputation that have been left in tatters by undisciplined elements within the force.

However, Pok needs the total support of the Defence Force hierarchy to re-establish discipline among its rank and file members.

From day one of his new command, Brig-Gen Gilbert Toropo has been shouting out the message of discipline among his troops but he must now back up his words with affirmative action.

Toropo needs to overhaul the Defence Force and mould it into a totally disciplined and efficient outfit whose primary role is to protect our sovereign state and citizens against any threats by alien forces.

He must ensure that every soldier clearly understands their rules of engagement.

The PNGDF is at a crossroads and needs to drastically change tactics if it is to be taken seriously as the country’s premier disciplined force.