FIGHTING HELA's GUN CULTURE

By Sylvester Gawi : 

In light of the National Government call-out for a full scale police and defence force operations in the Hela province a member of the Defence Force shares with me his experience of losing two of his comrades at the Komo Base Camp in 2015.

Both men were in the event of mitigating an all out ethnic clash between two warring tribes when they were shot.


Remembering Slain Soldiers in Komo and our code of ethics....RIP my comrades...so long Komo Base Camp.
Honour is the value upon which the reputation for worthy behaviour depends. The respect earned by the PNGDF during peace and in conflict is, in part, a reflection of the honour they have won. Honour calls for leadership by example, high standards, and moral courage to make and enforce tough but fair decisions.
Allied to honour is integrity, the soundness of moral character and principal. Integrity is essential to all PNGDF members as it implies honesty, sincerity, reliability, unselfishness and consistency of approach. Leaders at all levels are required to uphold and enforce discipline fairly and without bias. Their conduct is to be such that it neither calls into question their integrity, nor brings the PNGDF to disrepute. Maintaining integrity ensures the trust and respect of the soldiers whom commanders are privileged to lead.

Mateship is a value cherished by Papua New Guineans, embodying as it does equality, trust, tolerance and friendship, the bonds that forge teamwork. While there will always be feats of individual endeavour and heroism, it will be the collective success of the team or unit that determines the outcome of combat.
Courage. In training for combat and in undertaking operations, there will always be difficulties and hardship. Danger must be met with firmness and with control of personal and group fear. Courage is the physical and moral strength upon which fighting spirit and ultimate success in combat depends.
Loyalty. The final and most embracing value of all is loyalty. Provided each of the values mentioned above are in place. Pngdf members will be faithful to their leaders and their obligations. In turn, leaders must be loyalty to their subordinates, representing their interests and developing their abilities. Loyalty does not mean unthinking acquiescence. It means determining objectively and arguing fearlessly the best case when advice is called for, and then supporting the commander’s decision when a judgement is made. 

The state has committed K11million for the operations following widespread tribal fighting and serious threats of arms build-up in the province.

The two months operation will see arms would be surrendered and retrieved. There were also appeals from authorities and community leaders to the people of Hela to forgo tribal fights and resort to peace and appreciate developments in the province.

"The gun culture is rife in Hela, the vulnerability of our borderline not effectively guided as witnessed influx of illegal guns. But that wouldn't be the only vulnerability, certain high profile leaders, businessmen have brought in weapons through legitimate means but ended up in tribal groups." 

Hela Governor Francis Potape says (Post Courier Wednesday 38th December 2016) the call-out was a short term solution, but what Hela really needs to do is sign peace agreements and allow all the work of law and justice to be fully operational and effective in the province.


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