Security to beef up during VONC period
Security operations are expected to beef up starting today with about 300 Police and 200 Soldiers dispersed to provide security within the premises of the national parliament and around Port Moresby in the vote-of-no-confidence period.
The joint security effort by police and defense force is effective today and will operate for the next 14 days with a primary goal to control the movement of people and pin down activities that may provoke civil unrest as the National Parliament convenes for its sitting.
Assist Commissioner Police (ACP) Peter Guinness said an operation order has been handed down to effect this security procedure.
“There will be roadblocks at the various locations going into the parliament house, within the vicinity and the precede of the parliament and going outside,” Guinness said.
“The police operations will be basically within the inner perimeter of the parliament house, Waigani national court, in the Somare Library sector, Sir John Guise drive, which is the inner perimeter where the police will be located.
“The outer perimeter of the operation will be taken control by the defense force personnel.
“So you will see from the outside the perimeter with more defense force staff and from within the vicinity and the precede of parliament house police staff are in charge.
“So as much as possible, we'd like to control traffic there and we’d like to control the movement.”
Guinness warned the public to refrain from causing any disharmony in the city during this political dialogue.
Reflecting the ‘Black Wednesday’ saga that unfolded last month, Guinness urged people not to involve themselves with activates related to the VONC agenda.
He said any unauthorized person or groups congregating at the Parliament during the sitting will be physically removed by security forces.
“I'd like to ask and call upon the public that this particular vote of no confidence has got nothing to do with all of us,” he said.
“Today is the official opening of the parliament for the year 2024. They have their own process, by which the vote of no confidence will come about.
“I do not want the community and the public to come in conflict. What we are basically doing is to make sure that we secure an environment where by then there is no issue of any threat whatsoever.
“So that vote of no confidence or the parliament can run smoothly without any fear of threats.
“People will not come about and create any problem within the precinct or vicinity of parliament house because you will be removed.
“We must respect the democracy of this country and the rule of law. Let us abide by the rule of law so that we can become good people and good citizens of this country.”
He also cautioned people from dispersing deceptive information on social media as it will only cause public anxiety and panic.
“We want to appeal also to those people who are who are using social media to stop speculating misleading information,” Guinness said.
“The military and the police will not tolerate any such behavior that will stir up, confuse or create any lawlessness in the city.
“So that is our warning to people who are becoming more or less lunatic keyboard warriors on Facebook.”
Meanwhile, ACP Guinness said police will be at the front-foot to carry out at their normal duties along with military personnel.
“We encourage the community and the public to watch over their phone or the radio as what is going on,” he added.
“I want people in the nation to have that confidence and courage that our security personnel both police and defense will be in full force.
“We've started our operations today and it will continue until the end of the VONC period. So we'll be taking full control of the entire city and rule of law will not become so complacent.”