Source: 
The National, Monday December 8th, 2014

 By MALUM NALU

SENIOR police and military officers have promised they will ensure that public safety and security are maintained.
This follows a stand-off in Port Moresby on Saturday between police officers and soldiers, which saw the closing of roads and looting of shops, causing panic and chaos among city residents.
A team comprising senior officers from the two disciplined forces has been formed to investigate the incident – what caused it, how many officers were injured and the identities of those involved.
Seven months away from the opening of the Pacific Games in Port Moresby, the two disciplined forces agree that the incident had painted a very negative picture overseas of the two forces in charge of national security. When asked at a press conference on the status of national security looking forward to the Games, Police Deputy Commissioner (Operations) Jim Andrews said the disciplined forces would work together to make it a success.
“I’d like to assure the community in the National Capital District and PNG that the Pacific Games will go ahead as planned,” he said.
“It will be a joint operation. Police will lead, the Defence Force and CS (Correctional Services) will come in to run the Pacific Games.”
Defence Force Acting Chief of Staff Colonel Vagi Oala agreed that such incidents involving members of the disciplined forces painted a bad picture of the country abroad.
“That’s the reason why we are not taking it (standoff) lightly here,” he said.
“We’re taking this kind of approach (investigation) to do a combined effort and bring those who are responsible to justice.
“That’s what we are really working towards at the moment - to try and restore normalcy, daily routine of the public and ourselves.”
Members of the public on their way for their Saturday shopping were forced to take detours to avoid the trouble at Taurama and Boroko. Police set up roadblocks and advised motorists to stay away from the area.
Andrews said they would have to await the report from the investigation today or tomorrow before confirming the cause of the fight and the number of people injured.
“It is the work of the task force team that I’ve set up early this morning. It is their duty to investigate,” he said.
“The team is made up of senior members of the police and the PNGDF.  We should have their investigation report either Monday (today) or Tuesday (tomorrow).
“At this point, I’ll not say anything about injuries or whatever.”
Andrews said the looting of shops at Boroko and 3-Mile was done by opportunists who took advantage of the situation.
Oala said the soldiers involved were juniors including some who had just recently graduated.
“Yes, there were some injuries, but as I said, to what extent, we haven’t really confirmed that yet,” he said.
“They are very junior ranks. I know some of them are from the recent one (batch of recruits.) Let’s get the investigation going and we’ll let you know. “