Blockades by soldiers are currently in place outside the Murray Barracks in Port Moresby, as serving members demand accountability over alleged corruption in the 01/26 Basic Recruit intake.
The soldiers are calling for the defence hierarchy to respond immediately to their grievances. Tensions remain high as the standoff continues.
The blockades come after a wave of discharges targeting senior officers who raised concerns about recruitment irregularities. Those discharged include Lt. Col. Joe Teriken, PNGDF Chief of Training, Chief Warrant Officer Benson Eremas, and another Chief Warrant Officer allegedly targeted over a social media post. All three have over 35 years of service, including Bougainville tours, and say they were removed without investigation, charges, or adherence to the Compulsory Retirement process.
Another (4) four soldiers from Records Office of the PNGDF in charge of enlistment who were not directly involved in the recruitment have been charged and will face court Marshall at 10am tomorrow (15th April 2026).
Soldiers’ demands
Soldiers manning the blockades have issued four demands:
Dissolve the defence council
Remove Chief of Personnel Colonel Rodney Yahamani. Appoint a new Chief of Personnel to reinstate the discharged soldiers.
Remove all charges against the four soldiers who were in the video uploaded recently discharged and ensure no court action is taken against the officers.
Demand an independent investigation.
How the crisis unfolded
The saga was triggered after the public filmed recruits performing a “duck walk” march outside Goldie River Training Depot at 1-Mile. A subsequent video posted to Facebook showed recruits being questioned about enlistment despite exceeding age limits.
As the blockades continue, the scandal casts a long shadow over national security and regional stability.
The roadblock will continue tomorrow if their demands are not met.
The University of Papua New Guinea students have pledged their support to join the protest.
The grievances were raised to Commanding Officer of Force Support Battalion Major Ashley Gamiandu.
The days of soldiers blindly obeying orders are over. Following the precedent set by the Nuremberg trials, international law now recognizes a soldier’s right to refuse any order that is immoral, illegal, or unethical. In Papua New Guinea, this right is enshrined under Section 4 of the Defence Act 1974.
Yet, inside the Papua New Guinea Defence Force (PNGDF), a dangerous trend has emerged. Members who stand by their training and ethos to speak out are being swiftly suppressed. They face sudden transfers, suspensions, or being moved to unallotted positions. Most recently, they are being discharged entirely.
This culture of silence was solidified around March 19, 2026, when Deputy Chief of Defence Force, Brigadier General Opa Lari Opa, issued a directive to cease the circulation of videos or posts regarding recruitment training.
“The only way to protect themselves including the organization is to expose this corruption,” said a current serving officer who spoke on the condition of anonymity.
“I want make it clear that the video in circulation show recruits being questioned on how they got recruited even after exceeding the age limit, was during the recruitment process and not during an investigation. In fact, no internal investigation has yet to be conducted by the PNGDF hierarchy as opposed to what has been stated in the media.”
Evidence now directly implicates the Minister and the Chief of Defence Force (CDF), Rear Admiral Philip Polewara, alongside Chief of Personnel Colonel Rodney Yahamani, who oversees recruitment.
Documents suggest Colonel Yahamani was fully aware of recruitment irregularities but pushed for the enlistment anyway. While Brigadier General Opa pointed out these flaws in a minute to Yahamani dated March 3, 2024, CDF Polewara ignored the warnings. By way of a footnote the very next day, Polewara endorsed the enlistment request.
The fallout has been swift for those seeking accountability.
Lt. Col. Joe Teriken, the PNGDF Chief of Training, has been discharged on dubious grounds. His “offense” was recommending the suspension of basic training to vet recruits and avoid potential mishaps.
Joining him in dismissal are Chief Warrant Officer Benson Eremas, involved in the 01/26 Basic Recruit enlistment, and another Chief Warrant Officer allegedly targeted for a social media post. These men, senior officers and NCOs with over 35 years of service, including tours in Bougainville, maintain that they were simply performing their mandated duties. They were discharged without investigation, charges, or adherence to the Compulsory Retirement process.
The saga was triggered by the public, incensed after filming recruits performing a “duck walk” march at 1-Mile, outside the Goldie River Training Depot. Following the discharge of the officers, a video was posted to Facebook exposing what many now call institutional and systematic corruption.
Another former PNGDF officer stated that the Prime Minister and the National Executive Council (NEC) must act immediately. He warned that this scandal undermines the government’s efforts under the Pukpuk Treaty and has the potential to create disorder among service personnel.
While Defence Minister Dr. Billy Joseph has voluntarily stepped aside amid these allegations, the pressure remains on the hierarchy.
Prime Minister James Marape has announced a high-level investigation, stressing a commitment to transparency. PM Marape stated yesterday that “the government faces a major task in reaching its 2030 target of 7,000 members” and assured that “those individuals will be removed” if found to have bypassed proper processes.
He further addressed the growing perception that merit-based recruitment is being sacrificed for political loyalty and personal connections.
As the investigation begins, the scandal continues to cast a long shadow over the country’s security and regional stability.
Retired Major General, Jerry Singirok is calling on those who are responsible to be held accountable and to be charged criminally as it is criminal behavior.
“The exposure by the whistleblowers in relation to unqualified candidates raises a serious national security issue,” Singirok said.
“At the end of the day, the buck stops with the commander, whether he knowingly or did not know, it’s still in his area because he has to be answerable as to how this whole saga had escalated.”
The color yellow in the Papua New Guinea Defence Force Support Battalion represents the Supply Company, a vital logistic unit that manages supplies for all ten PNGDF units throughout Papua New Guinea.
As bright as the color itself, the Supply Company has a colorful history that was birthed on the 26th of July 1968.
Established seven years before independence the Supply Company remained the backbone of the Papua New Guinea Defence Force including the Maritime Element and the Air Transport Wing.
When the name Papua New Guinea Defence Force is mentioned, most people imagine soldiers on patrol at the borders or soldiers responding to tribal conflicts in the Highlands.
However, many do not know enough about the Supply Company to appreciate their work in ensuring soldiers are equipped with uniforms, boots, operational gear and fire power to carry out the duties of the Defence Force.
This essential role is performed by dedicated men and women of the sub-units within the Supply Company based out of Murray Barracks in Port Moresby.
For over five decades the Company evolved from One Base Ordinance Depot to Defence Support Agency (DSA) before transitioning into Supply Company as it is known today.
On November 28th the Company commemorated its 56th anniversary with a day’s celebration out of its base at Murray Barracks.
Chief Warrant Officer, Sition Saulo.
The longest serving member of the Supply Company, Chief Warrant Officer, Sition Saulo who served 34 years in the Company said 26-years had passed since the company hosted a Parade to mark the Company’s anniversary.
“I am happy about this parade; this is my last parade. I am retiring next year,” said Saulo.
Enlisted into the Papua New Guinea Defence Force in January of 1981, Saulo was posted to the Second Royal Pacific Islands Regiment (2RPIR) where he spent his early years as a young PNGDF solider.
“After Goldie, I passed out and I was transferred to A Company 2RPIR and from there I was posted to the Support Company as a store man,” Saulo recalled.
Ten years later, Saulo was part of the Delta Company from Moem Barracks who travelled to Port Moresby because of a curfew in Moem.
When the rest of the Delta Company returned to Moem, Saulo stayed back to attend a Supply Course. Little did he know that he would be spending 34-years serving in the Supply Company based out of Murray Barracks.
“I attended a Supply Course at Goldie and from there on, I was posted to Supply Company. From then on, until today,” said Saulo.
Major Chalem Chandrol – Supply Company Commanding Officer Reviewing Anniversary Parade
When addressing serving members of the Supply Company during the anniversary parade, its Commanding Officer, Major Chalem Chandrol said the celebration was an opportunity to honor past serving members, acknowledged the dedication of current members and celebrate the contribution of Supply Company within the Papua New Guinea Defence Force.
“This anniversary celebration holds immerse significance for us. On July 26th 1968, to 26th July 2024 makes over five decades, 56 years of service and evolution of the PNGDF Supply Company,” said Chandrol.
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.
The Australian High Commission in Papua New Guinea has responded to social media users’ questioning a joint exercise between the Royal Australian Regiment (1RAR) and the PNG Defence Force’s First Royal Pacific Islands Regiment (1RPIR).
In a statement released by Australian Authorities, Australian Defence Advisor to Papua New Guinea, Colonel Travis Gordon said the training in question is a continuation of a long history of cooperation between ADF and PNGDF that stretches back decades.
“1 RAR’s travel to PNG is the first rotation this year of the longstanding Olgeta training series, focused on activities to enhance PNGDF capability and capacity. Planning for this rotation commenced in August 2023,” said Col. Gordon.
Following the announcement of a team from ADF’s 1RAR preparing to travel to Papua New Guinea, many social media users questioned the role of the Australian Army in PNG.
Thus the head of the Australian Defence Force in country says the trainings is part of the longstanding Defence ties between Australia and Papua New Guinea, the ADF regularly deploys Mentor Training Teams to work alongside the Papua New Guinea Defence Force (PNGDF).
“The partnership between the ADF and the PNGDF plays a vital role in the broader relationship between Australia and Papua New Guinea,” Col Gordon explained.
These teams deliver training and activities with the PNGDF on a rotational basis, returning to Australia upon completion of their training activities.
The 1 RAR’s deployment to PNG is only for the purpose of participating in the next Mentor Training Team activity.
The Papua New Guinea Defense Force has hosted a brief visit of Commander in Chief of France Armed Forces in New Caledonia, Brigadier General Yann Latil to Port Moresby.
In a security meeting with PNGDF acting Commander, Commodore Philip Polewara and Defence minister, Dr. Billy Joseph, both countries discussed on humanitarian support and disaster relief exercises.
A similar meeting held with Foreign Affairs Minister, Justin Tkatchenko and Fisheries Minister, Jelta Wong expanded into measures of minimizing illegal fishing.
As this is the first visit, The French Commander in Chief toured few military barracks including a brief visit to the Air Transport Wing near Jackson’s airport and Basilisk Nasal Base at Konedobu.
His tourend included a stop over at the Bomana War Cemetery outside port Moresby where he laid a wreath to remember the fallen soldiers.
The Defence relationship between PNG and France reached new security height when both nations signed the Status of Forces Agreement (SoFA) in 2023.
Exercise Pukpuk was conducted at the PNGDF Lombrum Naval Base, in Manus. Concluding with the completion of a three in one classroom, road and electric works done at houses at the naval base.
Conducted for the first time at Lombrum Naval Base, the annual engineering exercise brought together PNG Defence Force members from the Engineering Battalion and the Australian Defence Force; Townsville 3rd Combat Engineer Regiment and members of the British Army.
Supplied Picture
PNGDF Commanding Officer for Lombrum, Buni Dorea spoke highly of the joint efforts by all three defence forces.
“Most of the works being completed are repairs and maintenance around the school and married quarters. And there are lots things to be done here. To have Australians here, especially on [Exercise] Pukpuk, has grown the relationship and made it stronger. This is the way forward to have a good partnership,” said Commander Dorea said.
Australian Army Captain Helena Sorial described the joint exercise as a rewarding experience.
“The best part is working with the PNGDF, in their country, experiencing their culture, and doing real-time tasks. When you go overseas on holidays you often skim the surface of understanding a place and its people. But we get to interact, see how the people live, how they work, and complete the work with them, ” said Captain Sorial.
The repair works include, tradies repaired stairs, decking, roads, and made-safe electric wires in the Married Quarters. And also a renovated classroom for children of Papua New Guinea Defence Force (PNGDF) members posted to the base.
CO Dorea said the joint exercise created the solution for school children to not be moving around during the rainy season and children won’t be disturbed from their lessons.
Four pilots in the Papua New Guinea Defence Force have qualified as the pilots, loadmasters and maintenance personnel for the recently gifted PAC 750 aircrafts.
The up-skilling of these airmen follows the Defence Corporation Program between PNGDF Air Element and the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) through the Flights of Excellence Program.
Part of this program includes the recent acquisition of two new PAC 750 aircrafts by the PNGDF Air element.
PAC 750 Aircraft.
Commanding Officer of PNGDF’s Air Transport Wing, Nancy Wii said the future looks bright for the air element.
“Five years we had a Pac 70 aircraft in our hanger not knowing what to do. Our RAAF partners have come along, and Fenix 701 got airborne, Fenix 702 and Finex 703 ready to be airborne, our latest aircraft,” said Wii.
The acquisition of the new planes increases PNGDF’s aviation capabilities to transport a section for patrol along the land borders, maritime surveillance and provide humanitarian assistances during natural disasters. It increases PNGDF’s PAC 750 fleet to three, following the Australian Defence Force’s support to remediate the PNGDF’s first PAC 750 in 2021.
Assistant Minister for Defence, Matt Thistlethwaite, said the addition of the planes supports regional security and protects the common interests of both countries.
“They will play an important role of delivering PNGDF’s long term goal of developing its sovereign aviation capability. As they are put to work, they will be supported by the joint Flights of Excellence Program,” said Thistlewaite.
PNG Deputy Prime Minister, John Rosso while thanking the Australian Government said the PNG government has not supported the Air Transport Wing for a long time.
PNG Deputy Prime Minister John Rosso (left) and Australia’s Assistant Minister for Defence Matt Thistlethwaite addressing the media.
Pacific Partnership 2023 will focus on community education, knowledge exercises covering disaster response and humanitarian assistance in Port Moresby and Wewak.
The team is accompanied by a Japan Maritime Self Defence Force singer, who will perform in a variety of community engagements.
Arriving in the country, this week, Pacific Partnership is an annual deployment of United States Navy who work alongside governments in the area of humanitarian aid or preparedness towards disaster assistance.
Teaming up with Papua New Guinea Defence Force, the team from the US Navy’s Pacific Fleet will undertake missions in Port Moresby and Wewak, East Sepik Province.
PNGDF Chief of Force Preparations, Colonel Craig Solomon said PNG and the United States are bonded by a common interest to promote a stable and secure Indo-Pacific by working on readiness for potential hazards and responses.
The Papua New Guinea Defence Force is looking forward to collaborating with the U.S. Navy and our allies to conduct another successful round of Pacific Partnership,” said Colonel Solomon.
The US Navy are in the country at the invitation of Government, and features nearly 1,500 personnel, from Australia, Canada, Chile, Japan, Republic of Korea, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the United States.
Returning to Port Moresby following last year’s visit to West New Britain, Pacific Partnership enables participants to work together to enhance disaster response capabilities and foster new and enduring friendships in Papua New Guinea.
Pacific Partnership Mission Commander ,U.S. Navy Capt. Claudine Caluori, said her team is keen to exchange knowledge, skills, and relations that will endure long after the mission departs.
“Pacific Partnership empowers nations to enhance their infrastructure and ability to respond to disaster emergencies,“ said Captain Caluori.
As part of the program for 20023, the mission team will conduct missions throughout Southeast Asia and the South Pacific Island Countries.
The last of the four Guardian Class Patrol Boats gifted to Papua New Guinea Defence Force – Maritime Element has been handed over to the PNG Government.
PNG Defence Minister Win Bakri Daki accepted the (NUSHIP) patrol boat in a ceremony at HMAS Stirling in Perth, Australia.
NUSHIP Gilbert Toropo’s Crew in Parade.
Australia’s Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles, said PNG and Australia are close friends with a long history of Defence cooperation.
“The Guardian-class Patrol Boat program is one of the most significant programs in support of our Pacific partners,” said Marles.
The NUSHIP which will be commissioned as HMPNGS Gilbert Toropo was designed and built by Australians in Australia.
This patrol boat joins Papua New Guinea’s other vessels Ted Diro, Rochus Lokinap and Francis Agwi as the 17th Guardian-class Patrol Boat delivered under the Australian Government’s Pacific Maritime Security Program.
PNG Defence Minister Win Bakri Daki, and Australian Minister for Defence Personnel and Veterans’ Affairs, Matt Keogh cut the ribbon during the Handover Ceremony of the NUSHIP Gilbert Toropo.
The program is a 30-year commitment by the Australian Government to ensure uninterrupted engagement with our Pacific partners in support of a stable, prosperous, and secure region.
Australia’s minister for Defence Industry and International Development and the Pacific, Pat Conroy said the commitment is part of Australia’s long-standing commitment to support its Pacific partners.
“The construction and delivery of these Guardian-class Patrol Boats by Australia’s world class defence industry offers increased capability to our Pacific partners,” said Conroy.
The inclusion of this patrol boat will extend PNG’s ability to protect its territorial waters and tackle shared maritime security challenges such as illegal and unregulated fishing.
Australia’s minister for Defence Personnel, Matt Keogh said he was proud to deliver NUSHIP Gilbert Toropo.
“The Guardian Class Patrol Boats are critical assets that support Papua New Guinea’s maritime security operations, help to combat illegal fishing and support humanitarian assistance and disaster relief efforts, contributing to the peace and prosperity of our region.”
Keogh emphasized that working together under the Pacific Maritime Security Program means we are well positioned to protect our collective maritime resources now, and into the future.
