Police, military conduct ‘show of force’ operation

A widely circulated video showing military officers in full combat gear scouting the

Public Rental Board flats in Mead Road is part of a routine joint operation with the Fiji Police Force.

Military sources confirmed to this masthead that the random patrol was a show of force that took place in the wee hours of Monday morning.

In military terms, a “show of force” is generally defined as an operation or demonstration intended to deter conflict or influence behaviour by displaying military capability and readiness, without necessarily using lethal force.

This masthead was reliably informed that the military officers were only providing support to the Police, based on intel received by police.

Assistant Police Commissioner Kasiano Vusonilawe had told this masthead that deployment of joint operations team depended on areas where suspected crime rates were high.

The video circulating on social media, taken from an upper floor of the one of the buildings, shows at least five military soldiers in camouflage uniforms, helmets, and tactical vests moving briskly across a paved area below. At least two carried what appeared to be guns.

A white police vehicle – fitted with a red-and-blue emergency lightbar and a checkered Police decal — was also visible in the area alongside a dark Government agency vehicle with a teal and white logo on its door.

The soldiers were seen moving past the police truck toward a darkened, vegetated area off the road.

Minister for Defence Pio Tikoduadua directed all questions to the Commander Republic of Fiji Military Forces, Major-General Ro Jone Kalouniwai.

Questions sent to Major-General Ro Jone remained unanswered when this edition went to press.