Armouries will be defended at all costs: Seruvakula

Former commanding officer of the third Battalion Fiji Infantry Regiment (3FIR) of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF), Ratu Viliame Seruvakula, says the military will defend the armouries with their life, reinforcing warnings that crossing the military is a “red light”.  

His warnings follow escalated joint operations between the RFMF and police amid attempts to break into military installations.

Ratu Seruvakula, who is also the chairperson of the Great Council of Chiefs (GCC), said weapons falling in the wrong hands would be dangerous.  

“That’s the main reason. A lot of the military personnel have operated overseas in peacekeeping operations. We have seen the impact of illegal weapons in the hands of members of the public, the extent of destabilisation.

“And I am not surprised if it’s where the military and the police are moving, especially if there’s been indication of intent to go the next level.”  

Ratu Seruvakula was the commanding officer for the 3FIR during the 2000 mutiny at the Queen Elizabeth Barracks.  

“When we got information that there was going to be an attempted mutiny, we put measures in place and that’s including, people like me, I was commanding the 3FIR,” he said.  

“I gave written authorisation for the use of lethal force for anyone attempting to break into the 3FIR armoury. That’s how important it is. When people start breaking the armoury, that’s a different ball game.  

“The camps may look like they’re not heavily fortified, but don’t be mistaken. The occupants will defend the armoury with everything.”  

Drugs and weapons  

Ratu Viliame said usually drugs would be accompanied with weapons.  

“The cartels they deal with big volumes of drugs. When it’s money that you haven’t worked for to understand the culture of how you got that money, but it’s money that comes from illegal activities, they’re very territorial, and when these criminal networks lose money because their drugs were raided, that’s a big loss for them, and they would want to protect that.”  

While Ratu Viliame says the death of Jone Vakarisi’s was tragic, and something that shouldn’t have happened, he hopes that it will be a lesson to those thinking of doing the same, or cause instability because of the death of Mr Vakarisi.  

“There is no need for that because there will be repercussions. Let the law take its course. The police are conducting investigations into what has happened. And let’s leave it to the authorities. We’ve seen what happens in other countries, in extreme cases in Latin America. It’s a tit for tat. And then it doesn’t end well anywhere.  

Joint operations  

Ratu Seruvakula welcomed the joint operations, praising the military and police for informing the public.  

“The commander knows exactly where the line is, and with the police commissioner there, I’m pretty sure they’re working very closely together, and the two ministers are working closely together,” he said.  

“Let’s create a hopeful future for our kids. They don’t deserve this.”