PAPUA New Guinea has deployed additional police personnel to Honiara to help the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force and its other international policing partners to provide security services during the 17th Pacific Games in Honiara.
The additional deployment of the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary (RPNGC) officers comes with two vehicles to aid the officers in the execution of their duties in Honiara.
The PNG High Commissioner to Solomon Islands Moses Kaul welcomed the additional RPNGC officers last Saturday night in a welcome reception.
High Commissioner Kaul said he was proud to announce that PNG has deployed a total of 108 police personal to help provide security services during the 17th Pacific Games.
He said PNG is doing this in the spirit of Melanesian brotherhood under its existing policing arrangement with Solomon Islands.
High Commissioner Kaul said PNG’s assistance to Solomon Islands in security is for the long haul, starting in 2003 under the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands arrangement (RAMSI). The RAMSI arrangement, an arrangement endorsed by the Pacific Islands Forum led by Australia concluded in July 2017.
High Commissioner Kaul said PNG and Solomon Island signed a bilateral agreement for the deployment of PNG police personnel in February this year in Port Moresby against the backdrop of the Honiara November 2021 Riot.
This [agreement] legitimises the security cooperation between our two countries in safeguarding our solidity and civil society.
“I believe vehicle transportation remains the priority in terms of logistical support for any police operation. So, I also thank the Government of Papua New Guinea for its intervention in a locating this fleet of vehicles for our police force which we are dedicating now for use.”
High Commissioner Kaul also took the opportunity to urge the new deployment of RPNGC officers to perform their duties diligently and with dignity.
“Countrymen make no mistake that your deployment overseas is a high call. You represent your country as ambassadors and flag bearers and so your conduct while in this country must reflect that status. Perform your duties diligently with dignity.”
He wished them all the success in their duties alongside their Solomon Islands counterparts and other security partners who are engaged under the Solomons international Assistance Force.
High Commissioner Kaul said very soon, there will be 500 PNG athletes and officials in Honiara for the Games and that it is time to challenge, celebrate and unite.
RPNGC Contingent Commander Chief Superintendent John Sagom, in his remarks, said it was a great pleasure for him to lead 108 police officers to assist the RSIPF provide security service in Honiara for the 17th Pacific Games.
Chief Superintendent Sagom said he expected nothing but the delivery of the best in security service by RPNGC alongside the RSIPF and other SIAF partners.
“I would expect every one of us to deliver the best security to support the Solomon Islands police in partnership with other partners who are also on the ground
“It is my humble pray that we will stand together as one nation and that we are here to represent Papua New Guinea
“We are here as a Pacific Community – that we can work together hand-in-hand to ensure we give the best ever security service on this international deployment to the people of Solomon Islands.
“Discipline is the thing that is required of all the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary who here today. Nothing more and nothing less. The best discipline must be displayed,” Chief Superintendent Sagom said.
By CLAUDINA MELVIA
Solomon Star, Honiara
