The prime minister has issued out a stern warning that the ongoing independent review into the Papua New Guinea Defence Force (PNGDF) must be allowed to proceed to its full completion and not disturbed.

He issued this warning to members of the PNGDF and the General Public, telling them to remain patient and allow the ongoing Independent Review into PNGDF Recruitment and related processes to reach its full conclusion.

Speaking at a Press Conference on Monday at Melanesian Haus in Port Moresby city, Prime Minister Marape confirmed that the Review process had significantly progressed and was nearing completion.

“The Investigation is running as we speak. Just because there is silence from us does not mean no work is taking place,” Prime Minister Marape stated.

The Prime Minister said the Review, being undertaken independently with the involvement of senior Papua New Guinean officials and an Australian Defence Force representative, was examining broader Structural and Recruitment-related issues within the Defence Force.

“Our Team is looking not just at one area, but the entire architecture concerning Defence Recruitment,” he said.

Prime Minister Marape acknowledged that Preliminary Findings had identified certain discrepancies; however, he stressed that no Final Conclusions had yet been reached.

“At this point in time, I am not able to disclose exactly the Findings, but there are indications of some discrepancies established,” he stated.

“I ask everyone to hold their horses until the full Investigation is completed,” the prime minister stressed.