Ambon – Police have found five flags of the separatist Republic of South Maluku (RMS) hoisted in different areas here.

"Two flags were found hoisted on a 7-meter bamboo pole," local police chief Adjunct Senior Commissioner Teguh Budi Prasodjo told Antara here on Thursday.

Two flags were found in Nusawine subdistrict, one in a sports hall in Sirimau subdistrict, and one in senior high school, SMU IV Lateri, in Baguala subdistrict.

No one has been arrested over the hoisting of the separatist movement's flag, he said, adding that air patrols, which began on Wednesday, would continue.

National Police have warned it would take stern measures against those marking the anniversary of the RMS here on Friday.