Papua New Guinea Defence Force

Pres Statement

Tuesday 21st April 2026

𝗡𝗢 𝗠𝗘𝗗𝗜𝗔 𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗧𝗘𝗠𝗘𝗡𝗧𝗦 𝗢𝗡 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝟭/𝟮𝟲 𝗥𝗘𝗖𝗥𝗨𝗜𝗧 𝗧𝗥𝗔𝗜𝗡𝗜𝗡𝗚, 𝗛𝗤𝗣𝗡𝗚𝗗𝗙 𝗜𝗡 𝗙𝗨𝗟𝗟 𝗖𝗢𝗢𝗣𝗘𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡 𝗪𝗜𝗧𝗛 𝗘𝗫𝗧𝗘𝗥𝗡𝗔𝗟 𝗜𝗡𝗩𝗘𝗦𝗧𝗜𝗚𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡

Efforts of the media in seeking information on the 1/26 recruitment from the PNGDF and to balance reporting is appreciated. However, there will be no more commenting on the issue as we wait for the external investigation process to complete.

The Headquarters PNGDF and all officers, including the Chief of Defence Force, are in full support and cooperation with the investigation announced by the Prime Minister and Minister for Defence, Hon James Marape, MP.

Therefore, with the external investigation into the 1/26 PNGDF recruit training in process, it is improper for PNGDF and its leadership to speak at this time.

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Approved for Release:

Philip POLEWARA, DMS, CBE
Rear Admiral
Chief of Defence Force

PSA 📢NOTICE TO GENERAL PUBLIC

Claims of soldiers breaking and entering armoury in various PNGDF establishments in Port Moresby are false.

Also, a claim that PNGDF is still going ahead with disciplinary actions in relation to the 1/26 recruit training is misleading and false.

The Chief of Defence Force, Rear Admiral Philip Polewara, has issued orders to halt the internal investigations and all charges are on hold, pending the external investigation that will be carried out by persons who are not under PNGDF command and control.

Decisions and Directives taken in relation to that matter was announced in a Media Statement on Wednesday 15th April 2026.

Bellow is the Media Statement.

𝗗𝗜𝗥𝗘𝗖𝗧𝗜𝗩𝗘 𝗢𝗡 𝗥𝗘𝗖𝗥𝗨𝗜𝗧𝗠𝗘𝗡𝗧 𝗜𝗦𝗦𝗨𝗘 𝗜𝗡 𝗣𝗟𝗔𝗖𝗘, 𝗣𝗨𝗕𝗟𝗜𝗖 𝗨𝗥𝗚𝗘𝗗 𝗧𝗢 𝗥𝗘𝗙𝗥𝗔𝗜𝗡 𝗙𝗥𝗢𝗠 𝗢𝗣𝗣𝗢𝗥𝗧𝗨𝗡𝗜𝗦𝗧𝗜𝗖 𝗔𝗖𝗧𝗜𝗩𝗜𝗧𝗜𝗘𝗦

𝙒𝙚𝙙𝙣𝙚𝙨𝙙𝙖𝙮 15𝙩𝙝 𝘼𝙥𝙧𝙞𝙡 2026

Headquarters PNGDF has taken note of concerns raised by soldiers at Murray Barracks and were addressed through the chain of command. The soldiers have now returned to their respective barracks.

In line with Government’s decision for an external investigation and to maintain public order and safety, four (4) directives have been issued.
𝟭. 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗶𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗴𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝗛𝗢𝗟𝗗 – All charges against members in the Enlistment Office are on hold, pending external investigations. And any DISCHARGES of personnel implicated in the recruitment exercise is deemed null and void.

𝟮. 𝗥𝗲𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗻 𝘁𝗼 𝗨𝗻𝗶𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗖𝗹𝗼𝘀𝗲 𝗖𝗮𝗺𝗽 – All service members are to return to their respective units and remain in the barracks under close camp conditions until further notice.

𝟯. 𝗖𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗥𝗼𝗮𝗱𝗯𝗹𝗼𝗰𝗸𝘀 – All road blocks are to be cleared immediately to ensure freedom of movement for the public and to maintain security.

𝟰. 𝗦𝘂𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝗣𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗹 - All Personnel Branch staff implicated will await decision on the external investigation.

The above four directives are additional directives issued in relation to the 1/26 recruitment course.

Directives already in place include:
𝟭. 𝗖𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗿𝘂𝗶𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗲 – The 1/26 basic recruit course has been cancelled.
𝟮. 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗯𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗿𝘂𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗢𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗲 – The PNGDF Recruiting Office has been disbanded. Deputy Chief of Staff Col Jason Hutchings (NZ Army) has been tasked to review and recommend new recruitment systems. This will include exploring the option to collaborate with the Department of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology to recruit school leavers.

𝗦𝘂𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗜𝗻𝘃𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗴𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 – The internal investigation into the recruitment activities has been stopped. All service personnel involved in the recruitment exercise are instructed to await the official external investigation.

PNGDF now awaits the external investigation announced by the Prime Minister.

HQPNGDF and all service personnel will fully cooperate with this investigation and all recommendations and decisions at its conclusion will be accepted and implemented.
In the meantime, I urge our people to remain calm and refrain from opportunistic activities by using PNGDF matters as a cover.

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Approved for Release:

Philip POLEWARA, DMS, CBE
Rear Admiral
Chief of Defence Force

Minister Joseph receives 2,500 sets of uniforms from the Australian government.



Minister for Defence Hon. Dr Billy Joseph received uniforms gifted by the Australian government today at Murray Barracks.

This presentation comes from a commitment made by the Australian Government last year during the two countries 31st Ministerial Forum.

The delivery of the uniforms costs approximately AUD 1.4 million and is made to the same standard as the one the Australian Defence Force wears.

Last year, Australia's Minister for Defence Industry and Minister for the Pacific Hon Pat Conroy, announced that Australia would gift 4,500 sets of uniforms. Today the PNGDF received the first 2,500.

Notably, uniforms designed specifically for women are also being supplied in the batches, a first for the PNGDF.

Thank you tumas.

Defence Australia Australian High Commission Papua New Guinea

Second Battalion, Royal Pacific Islands Regiment Officially Received Regimental and King's Colours.



The Second Battalion Royal Pacific Islands Regiment received their colours from His Excellencey Grand Chief Sir Bob Dadae, Governor General of the Independent State of PNG on Wednesday.

The momentous occasion was witnessed by Vice Minister for Defence Hon Stanley Muts Samban, East Sepik Provincial Government, members of the Pacific Islands Regiment Veterans League and the local communities in Wewak.

Second Battalion, Royal Pacific Islands Regiment set to receive new colours.



As host, the Chief of Defence Force Rear Admiral Philip Polewara received His Excellencey Grand Chief Sir Bob Dadae in Wewak this afternoon.

CDF was accompanied by Deputy Governor of East Sepik Hon Manuel Ganai, Provincial Administrator Mr Samson Torovi and the Commanding Officer for the Second Battalion LtCol Francis Vitata.

2RPIR will receive their Colours tomorrow at the Moem Barracks parade ground from the Governor General - Representative of His Majesty King Charles III.

Remembering the Great Grand Chief Rt Hon Sir Michael Thomas Somare on this 26th of February 2026.

#1/26recruitment

About 500 shortlisted applicants who passed the medical exam underwent physical fitness tests on Thursday and Friday run by Force Physical Fitness Instructors.

Divided into two groups for the respective days, the candidates completed sets of push-ups, sit-ups, duck walk and a 1.2km run.

Those who pass the fitness test will advance to the final interview.

We wish them well.

Defence team, led by Chief of Defence Force Rear Admiral Philip Polewara and Secretary for Defence Hari John Akipe, did a presentation of Defence activities from the period 2019-2025, at the Heads of Department and Heads of Agencies meeting today.

The meeting is being held at the APEC Haus from 9th February to 13th February. It is bringing together heads of all government agencies to report on their performances.