This came after she gone through counseling and told her story of recent ethnic tension on Guadalcanal from 1998-2000.
Elizabeth Tekaingo is Police Officer in the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force.
Her village at Red beach, Central Guadalcanal was shot at by the Police Patrol boat.
Her family and other families living at Red Beach were then ordered by the joint paramilitary force to leave Red Beach because of increasing build up by Guadalcanal’s militants.
Ms Tekaingo said when they returned few days later and found their two houses have been looted and burnt to the ground by Guadalcanal’s militants.
She said her family was traumatized and struggling since they returned to the village.
However, after relaying her story to the Commissioners, Ms Tekaingo said her mind is now freed.
“I want to forgive my brothers from Guadalcanal who looted and burnt our two houses.
“I appeal to you to come forward and reconcile with me,” she said.
The other nine victims who revealed their stories to the Commissioners have also appealed to their perpetrators for forgiveness.
They were: Felix Kojo, Gabriel Tuke, Nelson Siama, Trina Paroi, Naeson Poloso, David Pitisopa, Simon Vanjua, Blackie Stephen and Rollance Hilly.
The hearing began with small custom ceremony held outside the United Church compound organized by the womens’ victims.
This was to pave the way for them to tell their stories to public of bad things happened to them during the ethnic tension.
Chairman of the Commission, Fr Sam Ata said public hearing is a forum in which the Truth and Reconciliation Commission seeks to give voice to those who suffered abuse and horrific crimes in silence since the years of tension in 1998.
Fr Ata said the public hearing aims to put an end to this silence so that the entire society listens and begins to accept this tragedy as part of its own history.
He said it is a forum which offers a space and solemn moment to the victims.
“To give then an opportunity to tell the people of this nation about the harse history they have suffered and for the country to offer them the long denied recognition.
“It is also a moment in which the people of this nation are given the opportunity to listen with respect and companion and above all, to retrieve the memory of those who were killed, to hear the pain of those who were humiliated and abused in countless ways and; to restore the dignity of victims,” he said.
Premier of Western Province, George Solingi Lilo has also attended the opening ceremony.
A total of 42 victims have confirmed to give their stories to the Commissioners.
The hearing continues in Gizo.
By EDDIE OSIFELO
In Gizo, Western Province
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