The Republic of Fiji Military Forces this morning held a memorial service for loyalist soldiers who died in the attempted mutiny of November 2nd, 2000.

They were Private Temo Veilewai, Private Osea Rokosirinavosa and Private Simione Rawaileba.

In attendance were Prime Minister and the then military commander Voreqe Bainimarama and current Acting Commander, Commodore Viliame Naupoto.

Land force Commander Colonel Sitiveni Qiliho says the RFMF will never forget the three soldiers who were shot at the Queen Elizabeth Barracks.

“Every year since 2000 on November 2nd, we come together and remember our fallen comrades, our loyal soldiers, who fell as a result of greedy people which unfortunately had Chiefs and failed politicians who influenced the way things went on that fateful morning on November 2nd.”

The service also commemorated the lives of a military officer and a policeman who were shot outside a farmhouse on Qiolevu Road in Naitasiri in an ambush led by rebels in 2000.

Constable Filipo Seavula, a police officer shot while on patrol during the riot of May 19th was also amongst those remembered.

The memorial was held at the Queen Elizabeth Barracks at 5am.