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Lieutenant Colonel Kagena Selected for Prestigious US-Pacific Rising Leaders Fellowship

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Lieutenant Colonel Velmoore Kagena of the Papua New Guinea Defence Force has been selected as one of two representatives from Papua New Guinea to participate in the esteemed US-Pacific Rising Leaders Fellowship program. The program will take place in Washington, DC, from September 30 to October 18, 2024.

This fellowship, announced by the White House during the September 2022 U.S.–Pacific Island Country Summit, aims to empower mid-career public service professionals from Pacific Island nations.

The second cohort is set to welcome up to 32 participants to the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) for a three-week leadership development experience.

The fellowship is a collaborative effort between Johns Hopkins University and the U.S. Department of State.

Participants were chosen following a public call for applications and recommendations from regional governments and experts, with final selections made by a panel convened by Johns Hopkins University, in partnership with the Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs and U.S. missions in the region.

Lt Col Kagena, who hails from Central Province, Gavuone Village in Abau, and Malati Village in Kanosia, expressed his enthusiasm for the opportunity.

“I decided to apply for the program after seeing the advertisement online,” he stated.

Currently serving as the Director of the Incident Response Group, he previously held the position of Officer Commanding of the Long Range Reconnaissance Unit. With 25-years of experience, he has excelled in various capacities in both training and operational roles, both domestically and internationally.

An accomplished military professional, Lt Col Kagena is a graduate of the Royal Military College of Australia.

His academic credentials include a Diploma of Personnel Management from the University of New South Wales, a Bachelor of Business and Management (Professional Studies) from the University of Papua New Guinea, and a Master of Military and Defence Studies from the Australian National University. He is also a recent alumnus of the Australian War College in Canberra and the Asia Pacific Centre for Strategic Studies in Hawaii.

Looking ahead, Lt Col Kagena is eager not only to explore Washington DC but also to enhance his professional military education and forge valuable connections with fellow participants, lecturers, and facilitators during the program.

This fellowship presents a unique opportunity for him to further his leadership skills and contribute to the development of effective public service in the Pacific region.

“Establishing networks and building mutual relationships with the other Fellows from the Pacific Islands countries to collaborate in addressing the complex security and development challenges faced by our respective countries in the Oceania region”, says Lt. Col Kagena.

As Papua New Guinea continues to strengthen its ties with global partners, Lt Col Kagena’s participation in this prestigious program underscores the nation’s commitment to fostering leadership and collaboration in the Pacific Island community.

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Promotion and Appointment of Commodore Polewara; Stayed

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Commodore Philip Polewara against a a backdrop of supreme court

The Supreme Court of Papua New Guinea has issued an order staying the National Executive Council’s decision to promote and appoint Commodore Philip Polewara as Chief of Papua New Guinea Defence Force and Colonel Opa Lari Opa as Deputy Commander of the PNGDF, pending the outcome of Major-General Mark Goina’s court case.

In August of 2023, the Prime Minister James Marape suspended Defense Commander Major-General Goina for three months to allow the General Board of Inquiry (GBOI) to investigate a fatal shooting incident involving two servicemen, one soldier and a civilian during a training exercise in Kupiano, Central Province.

The shooting incident happened on July 4th, 2023.

Presiding Judge, Justice David Cannings, issued the court’s orders, under sections 19 and 5(1)(b) of the Supreme Court Act, effectively putting on hold the National Court’s earlier decision from May 14, 2024, in case OS(JR) 177 of 2021, and the associated proceedings.

Key elements of today’s Supreme Court’s ruling include:

  • 1. Stay on NEC Decisions: The court stayed the NEC’s decisions published in National Gazette No. G386 on May 24, 2024. This includes the revocation of Major-General Goina’s appointment as Commander and Chief of the PNGDF and his discharge from the rank of Brigadier-General. Additionally, the promotions of Commodore Philip Polewara to Rear-Admiral and Colonel Opa Lari Opa to Brigadier-General, along with their new appointments as Commander and Chief, and Deputy Chief of the PNGDF respectively, are also stayed.
  • 2. Restraints on New Appointees: Commodore Philip Polewara is restrained from occupying the office of Commander and Chief of the PNGDF and performing related duties, except in his capacity as Acting Commander under his previous appointment. Similarly, Colonel Opa Lari Opa is restrained from assuming the office of Deputy Chief of the PNGDF and performing associated duties.
  • 3. Prohibition on Implementation: The order prohibits all officers, servants, and agents of the NEC and the Attorney-General from taking any steps to implement the NEC’s decision, including conducting hand-over takeover ceremonies.
  • 4. Stay on Related Proceedings: The court also stayed National Court proceedings in case OS(JR) 102 of 2023, involving Major-General Goina and Prime Minister James Marape among others, pending further order.

A directions hearing for Goina’s case is scheduled for July 1, 2024, at the Supreme Court before Justice Cannings at 1:30 pm.

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Maritime Surveillance with US Coast Guard

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Maritime Surveillance

The first joint maritime patrol between Papua New Guinea and United States concluded after a 10 day surveillance within PNG’s Exclusive Economic Zone.

It included members of the PNGDF’s Maritime Element, National Fisheries Authority, PNG Customs and US Coast Guards on board USCGC Myrtle Hazard.

Captain of the USCGC, Myrtle Hazard, Lieutenant Jalle Merritt after completing the first leg said they were very excited to establish firm connections with state agencies.

“During the most recent patrol we embarked on, two customs officers were Abel to get to work right away and it’s been really great and we are excited about the future partnerships,” said Lt. Merritt.

The first joint maritime patrol follows the Ship Rider’s Agreement between the two countries signed in June and aims at strengthening regional security and resource management in PNG’s EEZ.

Mathew Bunt from the US Embassy said through the Ship Rider’s Agreement, PNG maritime law enforcement officers will be using US Coast Guard vessels to patrol PNG’s water.

“The US Coast Guard is providing the vessel, crew and other resources to help Papua New Guinea enforce it’s maritime borders and defend it’s sovereignty, said Mr. Bunt.

From this maritime patrol, the law enforcement officers boarded four foreign fishing vessels targeting tuna and confirmed no violation.

With intensive planning sessions, it led to the enhanced use of maritime domain awareness tools and the development of strategies. A subject matter exchange on law enforcement took place aboard USCGC Myrtle Hazard, involving multiple PNG partner agencies. Cultural exchanges, including sharing customs, traditions, and histories.

First Secretary for Maritime Security, Sylvester Adema who met with the crew of USCGC Myrtle Hazard said it took a while to arrive at this agreement before it was operationalized.

“We had our two ship riders who embarked with the US Coast Guards and did the first mission. I guess it was an eyeopener and a successful mission and they came back with some positive information from that mission,” said Secretary Adema.

The operations, led by Papua New Guinea and supported by the U.S. Embassy and U.S. Coast Guard upon invitation from the PNG Government, reinforced the importance of the strong bilateral relationship between the two countries.

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Soldier confesses to shooting live ammunition during Kupiano training

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A PNG Defence Force (PNGDF) soldier has confessed to firing live ammunitions that allegedly killed leading seaman Eric Gwale and Corporal Watata Kutegen in Kupiano.

PNGDF Commander, Mark Goina said a month-long investigation by PNGDF identified three suspects.

“There were three main suspects identified, one has owned up to firing the live ammunitions because he had the live ammunition on him during the activity,” said Goina.

The investigations also revealed that the deceased members were hit by high velocity ammunitions fired within 40 meters.

“Results of the post-mortems are consisted with the manner and how they sustained those fatal injuries resulting in instant death. Basically, those late members were being hit with high velocity round or bullets fired in close range less that 40 metres during the activity,” said Goina.

Late members Gwale and Kutegen were part of 43 participants in the final exercise for the Corporal Qualifying Course. They were killed on 4th July 2023.

“The tragic incident occurred during the assault phase of the attack; the deceased members were found dead during the reorganization phase which is after the assault was completed” said Goina.

The investigations showed that military processes were not followed right from the start and did not establish the allegation that some soldiers were drunk at the time of the incident.

“The personnel entrusted to perform their duties and responsibilities in relation to the conduct and control of Corporal Qualifying Course to some extent have failed to do their job or responsibilities effectively,” said Goina.

The three soldiers identified will be prosecuted both through the Military Code of Disciple and the Civil Criminal Court. Others have been suspended since 31st of July pending the outcome of the investigations.

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Investigation into shooting of PNGDF men to take two weeks

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PNGDF servicemen brought in

The Papua New Guinea Defence Force has released details of the incident that claimed the lives of two PNGDF members, thirty-six hours after the initial incident happened on Monday 4th July at 4:45am.

However, details as to what went wrong during the training exercise have been withheld to allow the process of investigation to take its course.

PNGDF Commander, Major General, Mark Goina said it’s a regrettable incident that should have never happened.

Goina identified the deceased members as;

  1. Leading Seaman, Eric Gwale of Morobe and New Ireland, employed at HMPNGS Tarangau at Manus and;
  2. Corporal, Watata Kutegen from Enga, employed as an instructor at Goldie River Training Depot.
Two PNGDF servicemen being wheeled in from chopper in body bags

“At the outset, I want to convey my deepest condolences and those of all the men and women of the Papua New Guinea Defense Force to the loved ones and families of the deceased,” Commander Goina said.

The PNGDF hierarchy said the families of these servicemen will be supported during this difficult time.

PNGDF has launched a 14-day preliminary investigation into the circumstances of the incident.

A fortnight, a wait too long for two grieving families, in need of answers.

Meanwhile, a third soldier and a civilian who were also wounded during the Dawn Attack Exercise are being treated at a private hospital.

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Two PNGDF soldiers killed during training exercise at Kupiano

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Two Papua New Guinea Defense Force (PNGDF) soldiers are confirmed dead while another was rushed to Port Moresby General Hospital with gunshot wounds after being shot during the final exercise of a Corporal Qualifying Course.

A fourth person sustaining gunshot wounds as well, is a civilian. He is also admitted at the Port Moresby General Hospital.

The Ministry of Defence in a statement confirmed this, adding that police and the defence force have commenced investigations into the incident.

The Ministry has confirmed that the incident took place in Kupiano, Central Province at 4am, this morning.

The training at Kupiano was the final phase of the Corporal Qualifying Course the soldiers have been undergoing at the Goldie River Training Depot.

Minister for Defence, Win Bakri Daki receiving the bodies of the two PNGDF personnel.

Defence Minister, Win Bakri Daki said the PNGDF is ensuring that it continues to provide the duty of care to the families of the deceased and wounded members during this time.

“As the Minister responsible for Defence, I convey my sincere condolences to the families and loved ones of the deceased members, and also my assurances to those who were wounded that their recovery will have our priority of support.”

The Chief of Defence Force will host a media briefing tomorrow to provide more details of the incident.

InsidePNG will bring more updates as the story develops.

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