Sex, drugs, armed robbery and murder

Alleged assassination plot and accusations of misconduct loom over PNGDF

The image of the

Papua New Guinea Defence Force is probably at its lowest in

years following allegations

linking a former soldier to a gang involved in the recent

Westpac bank robbery and

a subsequent shoot-out with

police in Port Moresby.

There have been allega tions that a hand grenade hurled at police by crimi nals during the two-hour pitch battle was of defence force issue.

But force’s commander, Brigadier General Jerry

Singirok, has strongly

denied any part in the inci dent.

Among the negative publicity the PNGDF is being subjected to is the alleged involvement of defence force personnel in the assassination of

Bougainville Transitional

Government Premier Theodore Miriung and the findings of an internal

investigation into the September 8 Kangu massacre.

The findings of the report provide an unfavourable assessment of the force’s chain of command and have highlighted serious disciplinary problems with many of those responsible for the men in the Bougainville operation.

While the truth behind Miriung’s mur der is yet to be known, allegations (as reported in Pacific Islands Monthly, October) implicated defence force sol diers in the killing.

The PNG government has secured the services of a retired Sri Lankan judge to head the coronial inquest into Miriung’s death. Justice Thirunavukkarasu Sutheralingam was nominated by Commonwealth Secretary-General Emeka Anyaoku.

Prime Minister Sir Julius Chan formal-

ly welcomed Justice Sutheralingam at a luncheon held in his honour at Parliament House on November 11. Kosi Latu, a Pacific Islands lawyer of Tongan-Samoan background representing the Commonwealth Secretariat, will assist Justice Sutheralingam in the inquiry.

Government’s decision not to release the full report on the Kangu massacre has only added fuel to speculation, with even soldiers in Bougainville publicly raising concern over the issue.

There has been a growing sense of suspicion that the government is trying to

hide something.

Contingent Commander of the Security Forces on Bougainville Lieutenant Colonel Tokam Kanene has urged the government to allow journalists the opportunity to accurately report what is happening.

“The investigation into the Kangu incident was conducted by a senior and experienced officer. Sadly though, what we believe is lacking is the feeling of empathy. One has to serve in the infantry battalion to find out and experience the hardships of life in the foxhole. Everybody working on Bougainville deserves a little praise,”

Col Kanene said.

The investigation has placed the blame for the massacre squarely on the shoulders of the com manding officer and troops of Delta Company.

It alleged evidence of drug abuse, intoxication through home-brews, and sexual unions with local women, which are said to have caused friction with resistance force members.

The report said the mas sacre resulted from “retal iation resulting from anger, hatred and frustra

tion” over the treatment of resistance force members.

It said many soldiers were playing vol leyball with residents at the Kangu care centre on the fateful day. Many of their weapons had been “carried” by resistance fighters who later acquired all the weapons. Soldiers trying to retaliate were gunned down by resistance men with their own weapons, the report said.

Meanwhile, three more soldiers were killed and efforts were continuing for the release of five soldiers in Buin captured during the Kangu massacre and three oth ers held hostage in the Siara area.

The first soldier, Corporal Joe Gareits, was gunned down on November 7 by the Bougainville Revolutionary Army. The two other soldiers were killed on November 11 in a rebel ambush in Arawa town. ■

Miriung... assassination still a mystery