A community leader in the Shortland Islands in Western Province calls on his people to work together with police during the Bougainville Referendum as officers of the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) conducted awareness on 22 November 2019.
Assistant Chief from Maleai Village, Dominic Bakele says, “I really appreciate the presence of RSIPF officers and the awareness talks conducted to clarify doubts about border crossing issues. I really appreciate the police visits to my community and other villages in the Shortland Islands.”
“My people are really happy and we have confidence in the RSIPF since the deployment of the Police Response Team (PRT) to our islands a few months ago. Now my people see more police officers come in for this Bougainville Referendum which I believe will boost the security in our communities in the Shortland Islands,” says Assistant Chief Bakele.
Police Forward Command Post Commander Mathias Lenialu says, “The purpose of the visits to villages is to talk with community leaders to work together with police during the whole operation. Community leaders are assured that police presence here in the Shortlands and parts of Choiseul will continue on after the Bougainville Referendum.”
“I must remind my good people in the Shortland Islands that our mission to maintain law and order within Solomon Islands side of the common border with Papua New Guinea. Let us show respect for one another. This has been part of our traditional culture.”
“Please inform police if you are aware of any weapons or fire arms being brought into Solomon Islands. We want everyone to feel safe. Police will not tolerate anyone who takes the laws of Solomon Islands into your own hands. You are free to express your views but do it responsibly,” PFCP Commander Lenialu emphasises.
“Be observant and help protect our Solomon Islands by notifying RSIPF of any information relating to the Bougainville Referendum. If you have any evidence or knowledge of anyone planning to cause any trouble, please report it to the RSIPF. Let us move forward peacefully after the Referendum. Work with your police to develop our nation for a better future for everyone.”
– Police Media
