Outreach To Bring Criminals To Justice Continues

Joint Media Release

SIPF and RAMSI PPF

Friday 3 October 2008

Community Outreach to Bring Criminals to Justice Continues

The Former Chairman of the Solomon Islands National Peace Council, Mr Paul Tovua, has again joined police and RAMSI officials on the Weather Coast to talk with the community about finding the best way to bring several suspects to justice.

President of Gaena’alu, Jerry Sabino, also joined the delegation which travelled to Veralava village which included Acting Commissioner of Police Peter Marshall; Acting Assistant Commissioner, Peter Aoraunisaka; RAMSI Special Coordinator, Tim George; Assistant Special Coordinator, Mataiasi Lomaloma and the Commander of RAMSI’s Participating Police Force, Denis McDermott.

One of the suspects, Alphonseus Toghovotu, is wanted for three murders since 1999, and the recent attempted murder of a RAMSI Participating Police Force officer.

Mr Tovua reassured the people of Veralava community that RAMSI had been invited to the country by the Government of Solomon Islands to help restore law and order and other areas, and that the community needed to work together with the police and RAMSI to achieve this goal.

Acting Assistant Commissioner Aoraunisaka said it was important that the community support law and order to maintain peace and stability in Solomon Islands.

“As a senior police officer from Guadalcanal I appeal to all Solomon Islanders to come forward with any information you may have about the suspects. They must be accountable for their actions in a court of law.”

Mr Aoraunisaka said that police were carrying out investigations across the country to apprehend people who had committed serious crimes.

“If you know of their whereabouts and do not report this to police, you may be committing an offence also,” he added.

“I also appeal to the suspects themselves, please, do the right thing and give yourselves up. You will be treated fairly and in accordance with the law.”

RAMSI Special Coordinator, Tim George, provided the community with an update of RAMSI’s work.

He said that because RAMSI is a mission with people from 15 Pacific Islands Nations, it was always learning about culture and better ways of doing things, including hearing first hand any concerns people had about the investigation.

“Please let us know if there is a way that we can work better in partnership with you to solve this issue,” he said.

Assistant Special Coordinator Mataiasi Lomaloma said meeting villagers face to face was always very worthwhile.

“Regular contact is important to build trust between the community and those responsible for upholding the law.”

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