Editor,

All credits must be given to the Tongan PM. Hon Dr Sevele for initiating the review of the Tonga Police Force's performance thus far. The question of the effectiveness of the Tonga Police Force was of course thrown into bold relief by the events of 16/11. Although there are stacks of unanswered questions about security level on 16/11, (such as, for example, the presence of the Minister of Police and the Superintendent of the Tonga Defence Services in the PM's office on the afternoon 16/11 but with no apparent attempts to call in enforcements from their respective departments to suppress rioters who were destroying Nuku'alofa at the time and the whereabouts of the King on 16/11).

We must now seek to install proper preventative measures to ensure that Tongans are secured from such atrocities as those orchestrated on 16/11 even if the prospect may not materialize. To that end, it seems to me that the Hon PM is currently on the right track and we must show him gratitude by way of encouraging him in the monumental effort he is currently exerting on his capacity as Tonga's PM for the reconstruction of Nuku'alofa.

On that note, however, I am utterly disturbed by the passive attitude shown by the Police Minister Hon 'Aho in thinking that a need for increasing the size of the Police Force will arise only if there will be another 16/11. With all due respect to the MOP, it seems that he has not yet woken from his slumber. Is it not too late to wait till another 16/11 in order to increase the size of the Tonga Police Force? Why not act now in view of that prospect? Is it not the responsibility of any government to perpetuate an environment in which peace and well-being are uncompromisingly enjoyed by its citizens? Hence, there indeed is a pressing need especially for the MOP to act now not only in view of possible future 16/11 but more importantly lest we may forget the past. The events of 16/11 painfully asserts that Tongans (like the rest of humanity) are perfectly able of masterminding, sponsoring as well as committing such inestimable acts of violence against their fellow citizens. In that sense, is it not a counsel of wisdom for the MOP to follow suit on the PM in seriously taking prevention (of possible future threats to Tongan citizens) as better than curing such a situation? Or do we now need a separate review of the MOP's performance thus far in his important portfolio?

Faka'apa'apa atu,

Rev Dr Ma'afu'otu'itonga Palu

maafu [dot] palu [at] gmail [dot] com.