Philip Polewara

Last updated
Philip Polewara
MBE
Commodore Philip Polewara, Deputy Chief, Papua New Guinea Defense Force in Papua New Guinea on July 27, 2023 - 230727-D-TT977-0273 (cropped).jpg
Philip in 2023
Chief of the Papua New Guinea Defence Force
Incumbent
Assumed office
June 10, 2024
Military service
Years of service1988 - present
RankRear Admiral

Philip Polewara MBE is a Papua New Guinean military officer who currently serves as the Chief of the Papua New Guinea Defence Force since June 2024. [1] [2] Prior to his appointment, he was commodore of the Defence force from 1988 until 2024.

Contents

He is ranked as the Rear Admiral in the Defence force. [3] [4] He previously served as the Chief of Staff Captain in Bougainville in 2019. [5] Philip is a member of the Papua New Guinea Institute of Directors, where he serves since 2016. [6] He farewelled the first Adviser to India Edison Napyo. [7]

Education

Philip went to the University of Papua New Guinea where he graduated with a Bachelor of Business. He is a graduate of the US Naval Staff College, the US Joint Forces Staff College, and the US Naval Command College. After graduating in 2013, he went to the Naval War College, where he served as an International Fellow. [6] He earned a Master's degree and a PhD at Salve Regina University in 2023. [8]

Career

In March 2018, he was appointed as the Chief of Staff. [9] During the 2024 Enga landslide, he released an assessment alongside other such as Billy Joseph. [10] Philip was appointed as Chief in June 2024 by Prime Minister James Marape alongside being upgraded to Rear Admiral. [1] [11]

Jones (left) and Philip (right) Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and Commodore Philip Polewara, Deputy Chief, Papua New Guinea Defense Force tour Murray Barracks, Papua New Guinea on July 27, 2023 - 230727-D-TT977-0058.jpg
Jones (left) and Philip (right)

Foreign relations

In September 2024, he welcomed Pope Francis to Papua New Guinea. [12]

United States

Phliip first met Vice Admiral Justin Jones at a airport alongside Defence Minister Win Bakri Daki in July 2023. [13]

Philip met Justin Jones in May 2025 at Port Moresby. [14] They discussed better relations between United States and Papua New Guinea. [15] During the same month, he visited the U.S with supporting new uniforms for the PNGDF. [16]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "Captain Polewara is new deputy chief of PNGDF | The PNG Bulletin". 2026-01-26. Retrieved 2026-01-25.
  2. ↑ Tiriman, Caroline (2018-08-07). "PNG - APEC Sekiuriti Vailans wari". ABC Australia (in Tok Pisin). Retrieved 2026-01-25.
  3. ↑ "Polewara is army chief | The National". 2026-01-23. Retrieved 2026-01-25.
  4. ↑ Kia, Lendo (2024-06-10). "NEC appoints Commodore Polewara as PNG Defence Force Commander - National Information Center" . Retrieved 2026-01-25.
  5. ↑ "Bougainville militants commit to implement Peace Agreement". RNZ. 2019-11-09. Retrieved 2026-01-25.
  6. 1 2 "The Board". Comrade Trustee Services Limited. Retrieved 2026-01-25.
  7. ↑ Peri, Dinakar (2024-04-23). "Papua New Guinea appoints first defence adviser to India". The Hindu. ISSN   0971-751X . Retrieved 2026-01-25.
  8. ↑ National, The (2026-01-23). "Polewara qualified to lead army | The National" . Retrieved 2026-01-25.
  9. ↑ National, The (2026-01-23). "Polewara new deputy chief | The National" . Retrieved 2026-01-25.
  10. ↑ Foon, Eleisha (2024-05-27). "PNG 'landslide buried more than 2000 people alive': Rescue teams navigate unstable terrain, infighting". RNZ. Retrieved 2026-01-25.
  11. ↑ "Commodore Polewara Elevated To Rear Admiral And Chief Of PNG Defence Force". PNG Facts. Retrieved 2026-01-25.
  12. ↑ White, Christopher. "Pope Francis arrives in Papua New Guinea to begin his first visit to Oceania". National Catholic Reporter. Retrieved 2026-01-25.
  13. ↑ National, The (2026-01-23). "Top US official in nation's capital for further defence talks | The National" . Retrieved 2026-01-25.
  14. ↑ "International debut for Talisman Sabre". Australian Government. May 5, 2025. Retrieved January 25, 2026.
  15. ↑ "Austin Meets Papua New Guinea Leaders to Chart Security Course". U.S. Department of War. Archived from the original on 2025-09-08. Retrieved 2026-01-25.
  16. ↑ "U.S. DELIVERS DRESS UNIFORMS TO PNG DEFENSE FORCE: FULFILLING PNGDF REQUEST". United States Embassy to PNG. 2025-05-27. Retrieved 2026-01-25.
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