A Renbel Community Chief has urged police to investigate reports that some Members of Parliament are in possession of illegal firearms, saying he is sure the hierarchy of the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) is fully aware of who the MPs are.

“I know successive police commissioners and the new one know who the politicians are. Why aren’t they doing anything about this,” West Rennell Chief Jonathan Tohuika told Island Sun yesterday.

Mr Tohuika’s call comes as new information emerged that high-powered rifles such as M16 might have been brought into the country.

Island Sun was told that ex-combatants knew how many guns and what types of weapons were taken when the armoury at Rove Police Headquarters was broken into in early June 2000.

“There never was an M16 amongst those weapons. We now wonder where these have come from,” one told Island Sun two days ago.

Mr Tohuika was commenting on a report published by the Island Sun newspaper, quoting sources that the matter of MPs being in possession of guns were discussed at a meeting held in the Prime Minister’s Office last month.

According to the report, ex-combatants have made it clear in the meeting that they know of a number of MPs including Ministers who are in possession of guns, which included high-powered rifles.

“We know them by name,” the informant said.

“We want the MPs to hand in their weapons first before ex-combatants bring theirs in.”

Mr Tohuika said leaders should set good examples in their conduct.

“Please tell the nation the truth, Is it true that some of you are hanging on to weapons especially at a time when everyone else is denied gun ownership,” Mr Tohuika said.

“In my view by hanging on to guns, suggests they know of something the public is not aware of and that makes members of the community rather nervous. Police must take action immediately in investigating the matter. Such action would give members of the public a measure of assurance that all is well,” he said.

“But police must not waste time. They must do this now,” Mr Tohuika said.