The Papua New Guinea Defence Force (PNGDF) will deploy soldiers to assist the police units deployed to Milne Bay province after the Police Commissioner, David Manning, declared war on criminal elements in the province that recently attacked police and citizens in the capital, Alotau.
The defence force Chief of Staff, Navy Captain Philip Polewara, confirmed this on behalf of the Commander of Defence Force, Major General Gilbert Toropo.
He says the police commissioner requested for assistance and the defence team is now working with police to see what sort of assistance they can give.
“The Chief of Force Preparations is working with ACP police operations. We will see what sort of task to be done and that task will determine the number of personnel we will deploy,” said the Chief of Staff.
“Considering that Milne Bay is not mainly a main land area. It has outer islands and part of it is connected to Central and connected to Oro and then you have the mountain range. These are the things that will determine what type of force and strength we will deploy.”
The Chief of Staff further added that the documentations or instruments for the defence force deployment, is being worked on by the police hierarchy before anything is put out.
Therefore, the callout could be delayed a bit given that the necessary paperwork is done and in order before the army goes out to assist police in the operation in Milne Bay province.