PORT MORESBY (NBC/PINA) — The Papua New Guinea government has assured the nation that it is working to rebuild the Defense Force and make it more responsive to requirements.
Addressing the Commander’s Breakfast, Prime Minister Mekere Morauta, admitted Defense Force soldiers face problems. But he said despite the actions of a few, like the mutineers at Moem Barracks, Wewak, the force in general has remained loyal.
Mutinous soldiers seized Moem Barracks—including its armory—more than a week ago. They initially said they were protesting against the cutbacks in the force and retrenchment of soldiers but have since added to their demands.
As the stalemate continued, they assured the business houses and the local government that people in Wewak should go about their normal activities. The situation was confined to the barracks, the soldiers said.
It came as Wewak police arrested a soldier and charged him with attempting to sell a Defense Force firearm. Provincial Police Cmdr. Leo Kabilo said police found the soldier and a civilian trying to board an Air Niugini flight out of Wewak to Mount Hagen.
Kabilo expressed concern about how many more Defense Force issued firearms have already been taken out of the barracks.
