By DALCY LULUA
Former Papua New Guinea Defence Force Commander Jerry Singirok has called on the government to urgently act on the long-neglected findings of the 2005 PNG Guns Control Committee Report, warning that decades of inaction have fuelled the proliferation of illegal firearms and escalating violence across the country.
The retired Major-General said he was entrusted in 2005 by the late Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare, through then Internal Security Minister Bire Kimisopa, to chair the National Guns Control Committee. The committee conducted a five-month inquiry and produced a report containing 244 recommendations aimed at eliminating illegal firearms and improving community safety.
The report was presented to both the Prime Minister at the time and the then Leader of the Opposition, Peter O’Neill.
However, Mr Singirok said successive governments had failed to seriously implement the recommendations.
“For more than 25 years, illegal guns have not been treated with the urgency they deserve. The consequences of this neglect are now catastrophic,” he said.
Mr Singirok said the 2005 report should be used as the starting point for a comprehensive national response to illegal firearms. He urged the government and responsible state agencies, particularly the Department of Police, to review the scale of work and administrative reforms required to address what he described as a complex but critical national security issue.
He called for amendments to key laws, including the Firearms Act, Defence Act, Police Act, Criminal Code and the Constitution, to strengthen enforcement and penalties. He also stressed the need for stronger command and control systems within the PNG Defence Force, Police and Correctional Services to prevent leakage of state weapons and ammunition.
“Members of the security forces who trade or sell state weapons must face severe penalties. Long-term prison sentences are necessary because these individuals are entrusted as custodians of our national security,” he said.
Among the key reforms proposed is changing the role of the Firearms Registrar from a single office held by the Police Commissioner to a multi-member committee, as well as the introduction of modern technology to track state-owned weapons and ammunition.
Mr Singirok also highlighted the need for tighter border controls, including along Route 700 linking Erave in Southern Highlands Province to Kikori in Gulf, the land border with Indonesia, and maritime borders with Australia and the Solomon Islands. He called for increased surveillance of foreign fishing and logging vessels to prevent arms smuggling.
He said provinces most affected by gun violence must take ownership of the problem, working closely with community leaders, youths, women’s groups, churches, NGOs and donor partners to restore safety at the local level.
While commending the Marape-Roso Government for recent initiatives such as gun amnesties, possible buy-back schemes and discussions on the death penalty, Mr Singirok warned these measures were temporary.
“We need a wholesome review of all relevant legislation, with strong enforcement mechanisms and penalties that act as real deterrents to both users and sponsors of illegal guns,” he said.
Mr Singirok said Papua New Guinea could not afford to allow illegal firearms to undermine peace, stability and development, adding that community safety depended on decisive leadership and the courage to implement long-overdue reforms.
Mr Singirok said PNG’s approach must combine strong security operations, political commitment and international cooperation, noting that recent government initiatives were commendable and critical in creating a new pathway toward safer communities.
“Let us work together with government, civil society and international partners to ensure Papua New Guinea becomes a safer and more peaceful nation,” he said.