BY JOHN HOUANIHAU
Two Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) officers are helping make Tuvalu safer through their contribution to Operation RENDER SAFE.
Operation RENDER SAFE is a multinational mission to address threats posed by Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) left behind from the Second World War.
The Australian High Commission (AHC), in a statement yesterday, said Sergeant Patterson Filiga and Constable Barnabas Talo recently travelled to Nanumea Lagoon, where they joined Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel and the Tuvalu Police Service in reconnaissance activities to locate, document and assess UXO remaining in the area.
Numerous explosive remnants of war remain in the lagoon and surrounding areas as a legacy of World War II, continuing to pose a threat to local communities, fishers and visitors, according to the AHC.
The statement said the two RSIPF officers contributed specialist technical advice to identify and record the location of UXO, helping inform future disposal operations and improve community safety.
The officers also engaged with members of the Nanumea community, raising awareness about the dangers of unexploded ordnance and providing practical guidance on how to recognise suspicious items and report them safely to authorities.
Australian Defence Adviser to Solomon Islands, Captain Emma Griffiths, praised the contribution of the RSIPF officers.
“The Royal Solomon Islands Police Force brings extensive experience and expertise in dealing with UXO from World War Two, making them an invaluable partner in Operation RENDER SAFE,” Captain Griffiths said.
She said Sergeant Filiga and Constable Talo demonstrated Solomon Islands’ status as a regional leader in explosive ordnance disposal while also showing exceptional skill in educating communities about UXO risks and promoting safe behaviour.
Operation RENDER SAFE is an Australian Defence Force-led multinational initiative that supports Pacific countries to reduce the dangers posed by World War II-era explosive remnants of war.
Photo: Supplied
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