Police Deny Allegation of Surveillance Warrant Application as Untrue

The Deputy Commissioner, Auapa’au Logoitino Filipo.

By Lagi Keresoma

APIA, SAMOA – 14 APRIL 2021: Samoa’s Ministry of Police has categorically denied information circulated on social media alleging that the Ministry has applied for a Surveillance Warrant against the FAST Party.

The Deputy Commissioner, Auapa’au Logoitino Filipo told Talamua that Police are not aware of any application from their office for a surveillance warrant against the FAST Party.

“Nothing like that is happening, and even though it is in the law, we have never used it unless there is a need for it,” said Auapa’au.

The post on Facebook said that “police were seeking a court warrant to obtain evidence from the (Fa’atuatua ile Atua Samoa ua Tasi (FAST) in the wake of its strong result in last week’s general election.”

The post emphasized that the warrant is only against FAST and excludes the other political parties.

Police however followed up with a Press Statement this evening again denying the information “and advising members of the public not to be easily misled or spread information that are substantiated.”

Different criminal investigation
Police however confirm that the Ministry did lodge an application for a Warrant with the Court in accordance with the Police Powers Act 2007.

“However the sole purpose of the Warrant is to facilitate the work of the Ministry in investigating other reported criminal activities that has nothing to do members/candidates of the FAST Political Party or anything relating to the general election as claimed by certain individuals of Facebook,” said the Police press statement.

“It is unfortunate the leakage of this Warrant has not only misinformed the public despite the confidential nature of the process with the Court, with only a few people involved at the time the same was processed, but it has also affected the integrity and merits of the on-going criminal investigation of the subject Warrant,” said the statement,

“Despite these setbacks, the Ministry continues to work closely and diligently with the Office of the Electoral Commission to ensure the safety of everyone involved while we await the official count of the vote for our general election.

“The Ministry has also reached out to the key candidates of concerned political parties and have discussed security precautionary measures that Police may offer during this period.”

Auapa’au told Talamua that police offered escort and security to the leader of the FAST party, Fiamē Naomi Mata’afa and also to the Independent candidate, Tuala Iosefo Ponifasio.

“The same security service is provided for the Caretaker Government,” he said.

He confirmed that Fiamē said “not now but will let us know if needed,” he said.

However, Auapa’au said compared to past elections, this is the calmest and peaceful election ever, but still they have to be on the alert.

He also said that protection for the Electoral Commissioner, Faimalōmatumua Mathew Lemisio, is covered by the police team at Tuana’imato.

Asked if there were any incidents during the election, he said no except for complaints against the candidates’ committee members who were seen congregating at the polling booths.

Police however have attended to some incidents including suspected arson of a family home at Aleisa after the election and several family homes being stoned after the election results were known on Friday night.

Overall, he commended the country for a peaceful election.