Was it a military coup?

This is what my brother, former PNGDF colonel, Reg Renagi, says about the whole shit:
"Was today a military coup?
"A military coup is a violent action taking by the military to over throw a government.Today, this did not really happened but the rogue elements of the PNGDF's action were still mutinious in nature.
"Military rules and regulations were directly breached so punishment must be metered out accordingly.
"The defence command must now take tough actions so that a clear and strong message goes to the troops in all defence communities that what happened today, must never ever be repeated in future.
"As a result of today's events in Defence Headquarters, Murray Barracks, here is what must happen now and quickly.
"Even if the mutiny situation has somewhat calmed down now with the renegade soldiers returning to their units at Taurama Barracks or elsewhere, the mutineers have seriously breached military discipline.
"Hence, the perpetrators of this highly illegal act against superiors and their own defence command must still be charged under the Military Code of Discipline, investigated and punished.
"In addition, after being tried; the renegade soldiers should then be handed over to the civil authorities for custody; followed by the appropriate civil legal proceedings before being sent to jail.
T"his very critical incident has now not only tarnished the good image and professional reputation of the PNGDF, but whatever credibility the military had until now with the government and public, has being lost forever.
"The military never crosses the line into the realm of politics, but sadly today it did, where it should not have dared ventured into; no matter what may be the compelling reasons.

Mutiny over

Just got a call from Murray Barracks that Col Yaura Sasa and his mutineers have surrendered.

This has been confirmed by former PNG Defence Force officer Reg Renagi.

"I just spoke to my inner circle military contacts within defence  headquarters now," he said.

"Things have quietened down now. 

"General Francis Agwi's office keys have been returned to him.

"The renegade soldiers have also returned their arms  back to their superiors. 

"The situation within Murray Barracks is simmering down down so all's well, ends well."

NGO activist Noel Anjo calls on mutineers to step down

Non government organisation activist Noel Anjo has given 24 hours to renegade colonel Yaura Sasa and his mutineers to step down or he would organise for NGOs and the public to march to Murray Barracks.
"I call on the renegade government to stop what they are doing," he told NBC radio.
"The O'Neill government is the legitimate government of Papua New Guinea.
"I'm giving them 24 hours to stop what they are doing, if not, NGOs and civil society will march to Murray Barracks.
"They are criminals.
"Apologise to the 6.7 million people of Papua New Guinea."

Air Niugini flights cancelled

Deputy Prime Minister Belden Namah has cancelled all Air Niugini flights to Wewak, Lae, Vanimo and Kiunga.
It is believed that PNG Defence Force troops based in these four areas will be brought in to bring down the mutineers.

Colonel Yaura Sasa warned to turn himself in by 4pm today

Retired colonel Yaura Sasa has been warned by deputy Prime Minister Belden Namah to turn himself in by 4pm today or be arrested.

Namah made the call as Sasa claims to be in charge of the Papua New Guinea Defence Force after placing commander Francis Agwi under house arrest.

He has threatened to use "necessary actions" to resolve the country's political stand-off. 

Sasa said soldiers under his control fired several shots this morning as they stormed barracks and took Agwi hostage under house arrest.

Sasa said the action did not amount to a military mutiny or takeover, but said he had been appointed commander by former prime minister Sir Michael Somare.

He called on Sir Michael and prime minister Peter O'Neill to return to parliament to resolve what he called the country's constitutional impasse within seven days.

If that did not happen, he warned he would use "necessary action" to "restore the integrity and respect for the constitution and the judiciary."

"This is not a military takeover," he insisted.

Earlier, at Taurama Barracks, frustrated soldiers surrounded the commanding officer's house and demanded that he vacate the house.

 "But he has locked himself in the house and refused to come out," a source said.

"The door of the house has been broken down by soldiers and the CO is still locked in one of the rooms. "They claim that the commander of PNGDF has been changed and therefore demand (CO) Lt Col Kari be removed. 

"It's really a serious issue.

"These NCO soldiers could be charged for criminal offence because they have used brutal force to break and enter the house,   demanding the removal of an officer of PNGDF, swearing, shouting abusive word to the CO to come out of the house. 

"It could be politically motivated, I assume."

No further bodies recovered today

No further bodies recovered at the landslide disaster site today, NBC news reports on its 9pm bulletin.
Work will continue after National Executive Council meeting tomorrow to discuss the issue.
Prime Minister Peter O'Neill visited the disaster area today.

National Research Institute: Don’t monopolise rice industry

THE National Research Institute (NRI) wants the government to abandon its plan to monopolise the rice industry, saying it’s devastating to people’s welfare.

The government’s leading think tank is calling on the government to learn from failed agreements like InterOil, claiming that aside from natural monopolies which can be justifiable, protectionist monopolies as in this case are generally considered to be detrimental to overall welfare.

“Current competitive markets in the rice industry in PNG have proven to be of public benefit as the proposed rice monopoly has the potential of undoing the benefits of competition including lower prices, variety of rice products and food security currently enjoyed by the general public,” it said,

According to NRI, terms and conditions of project proposals should be thoroughly screened by independent qualified experts apart from the government team through a detailed cost-benefit assessment to not only determine project viability but also the opportunity costs involved.

National Research Institute also raised the issues of profiteering and transfer pricing if Naima Agro Industries, a foreign-owned company is going to be involved, arguing that the proposal promotes anti-competition and contravenes the ICCC Act (2002) that propagates competition and fair trading.

“At one point in time Trukai Industries monoplised the rice industry in PNG and only through freeing up of the industry through competition that PNG has now a competitive rice industry with competitors, even though Trukai industries commands a larger market share,” NRI argues.

It is calling for a free and competitive market and supports continued competition as it did for the mobile phone industry and the aviation industry.