Cayo District - Channel 5 Belize

Cayo Businesspeople Say They Are Concerned About Crime

The administration and medical staff at the San Ignacio Town Hospital are not the only ones in that community that have expressed concerns about the increase in criminal activity. After his meeting with the hospital administration, Police Commissioner Chester Williams held a meeting with the businesspeople from that area. They turned out in numbers, along with residents, to share their thoughts and suggestions on how to address the problem. Cayo North East Area Representative, Orlando Habet, also attended the event, and he told News Five’s Marion Ali that Cabinet had just discussed the issue the same day and had taken the first steps to curbing the crime situation in the once peaceful twin towns. Here’s that report.

Marion Ali, Reporting

The meeting with the members of the Cayo business community ended in the night with a variety of concerns, suggestions, and expectations. Police Commissioner Chester Williams said it was important to get those thoughts to see how they could allay the fear that some residents and businesspeople could be experiencing.

Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police

“I brought my team with me. I have Commander of Operations, Mr. Grinage. I have Mr. Gamboa, who is the Commander of S.P.U. I have Mr. Bart Jones, who is a legal officer, and we also have the new Deputy Commander of the Western Region, Mr. Crispin Castillo, and Mr. Franco is also a part of the meetings. It is important for us to hear what are these concerns, and then we’ll make sure that whatever policing plan we’re putting in place, have in place, it is adjusted to be able to address the concerns of the business community and not just the business community but the wider community on a whole.”

There were quite a few concerns and suggestions from the persons who attended the event. Jian Li spoke of the concerns that the Asian community in the twin towns have and he says that they have lost interest in the police department.

Jian Li, Spokesperson, Asian business community, Cayo

“They were concerns over the crime rate, especially with the incident with the previous Chinese guy that has passed away – been killed – we have lost interest in the police department because four to five businesses have been robbed already and they have no result, no result in whatsoever. We want to discuss how can we actually implement a better solution for San Ignacio and Santa Elena and the urban areas and the villages in the Cayo District.”

Li says that the Asian community is not pleased with the way the San Ignacio Police Department has handled the crimes that have occurred. Now, a community that used to donate freely to the formation is contemplating a whole new approach to giving back to the police.

Jian Li

“That’s what we’re discussing right now – that what if we donate and they don’t do much work? What would be the result? So what we are discussing is that whosoever participates in capturing the attacker or the robber or the killer, they will be rewarded as long as he posted in the social media or in the mainstream media in Belize and we see that it’s approved, then we will approve a reward for the participants with the police.”

Marion Ali

“So the individual officer, not the department or the branch will be rewarded?”

Jian Li

“Not the branch, just the individual, or any individuals that participated.”

Li expressed hope that the police in Cayo will also conduct more traffic checkpoints and zero in on motorcycle drivers and passengers since recent crimes have been committed by people on motorbikes. Shelmarie Smith works with the San Ignacio Town Hall, but on Tuesday evening, she spoke as a concerned resident.

Shelmarie Smith, Concerned resident

“People here in San Ignacio and Santa Elena are really and truly concerned about the crimes that are being committed here in the Twin Towns. And we’re trying to see how we can work together with the police to bring these people to justice. It’s very sad to see that our people here are being killed for no reason at all, or because they are working hard. And these criminals are just coming to just take away their daily lives like that because of an amount of money or something to that effect. It’s not fair. We could sleep with our doors unlocked. Now we have to be closing burglar bars and all that. So I believe that it’s just criminals coming from different areas to our town. So we need to install those police checkpoints at all times and have them there 24/7. There’s 100 of them or 400 of them. There’s 40,000 of us. So we have to get together and pull as a community to fight these crimes and that’s the only way it can be solved.”

Cayo North East Area Representative, Orlando Habet, also attended the event and assured the gathering that, coming out of Cabinet meeting on Tuesday, the concerns would be addressed in a timely manner.

Orlando Habet, Area Representative, Cayo North East

“San Ignacio and Santa Elena being the second largest municipality needs to have more police officers. And as a matter of fact, we understand that it has less police officers than Belmopan, being a larger municipality. So we were assured that would be fixed. The minister of police was adamant in that he will ensure that his officers do right by San Ignacio, Santa Elena, and the surrounding communities. But I also think that not only in terms of the number of police officers, because that will also increase when they build the new police station in Santa Elena. But also to see how they can get more equipment, vehicles, especially so that they can do more patrols and be able to respond to calls from the public as soon as possible.”

Marion Ali for News Five.

ComPol Meets with Hospital Staff in San Ignacio

Commissioner of Police Chester Williams met with the management and staff of San Ignacio Community Hospital this afternoon. The meeting follows an incident on June first during which several men, described as gang members, stormed the facility shortly after David Galindo was admitted to ward with life-threatening injuries. Galindo was no stranger to the law and had been targeted by gunmen on a previous occasion in 2021. On the night in question, the forty-year-old had been shot multiple times while purchasing food at a location in Santa Elena Town. When he was rushed to the hospital, Galindo’s relatives and friends showed up not long after and reportedly terrorized the staff working the shift that night. The incident has raised serious concerns about the safety and wellbeing of medical personnel working at the hospital. Prior to his meeting, Commissioner Williams spoke with reporters.

Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police

“I was the one who suggested that we have a meeting and have arranged a meeting with the authorities from the San Ignacio Community Hospital. So I will be meeting with them this afternoon at two [o’clock] in San Ignacio and again, the purpose is to be able to look at what their concerns are and to see what protocols we can develop moving forward to ensure that there is no recurrence of what actually took place on June first. So I agree with everything said, in terms of the way how things unfolded, it ought not to have. The best that we can do now is to make sure that we put things in place to avert any future recurrence.”

Reporter

“And any update in finding the perpetrators? I know you said at least one had eluded the police up to yesterday and still now.”

Chester Williams

“One has been charged and we’re still searching for the other one. We are hoping that he will be coming out of where he is hiding very soon and we will be able to take him into custody and address that matter with him.”

In a statement provided to another news outlet this morning, Mynor Galindo, sibling of the deceased David Galindo, said, “no one has been arrested or charged for my brother’s death. Instead, police are relentlessly pursuing us rather than the actual culprits. Despite providing detailed descriptions of the attackers and their vehicle to the authorities, there has been no discernible progress in the investigation. The authorities have utterly neglected their duty to ensure our safety and have instead harassed our family, baselessly accusing us of involvement in criminal activities. We have received no support or justice from the authorities, and the media has perpetuated false narratives.”

Mynor Galindo Explains What Happened the Night His Brother was Shot

Late this afternoon, News Five spoke by phone with Mynor Galindo. He is the brother of David Galindo who was shot in Santa Elena on the night of June first and passed away over the weekend from injuries he received. According to the sibling, he was not at the San Ignacio Community Hospital the night when David was injured. However, what he explained was that other family members who were present were not allowed to travel with David inside the ambulance from San Ignacio to the Western Regional Hospital. Mynor admits that the refusal of the ambulance driver to allow a relative on the trip to Belmopan did create a bit of an issue, but not to the extent described by hospital staff elsewhere in the media.

On the phone: Mynor Galindo, Brother of Deceased

“When my brother David was shot, I was not at home, I just heard the news and I noh even went to the hospital itself. I was nowhere in the hospital and when dehn call me, my family members told me that di people dehn from the ambulance do not want to carry nobody in the ambulance and dehn seh once somebody go eena di ambulance he noh di drive off. He wahn stay right deh and he wah put di ambulance eena park and cut off di ignition. From deh, now you as wahn loved one di watch deh di deal with wahn loved one like that, how you wahn feel comfortable when dehn ambulance driver di tell you that nobody cyant go with di patient. And dat da right deh weh create wahn small lee back and front. But like weh dehn di seh bout di doctors and nurses being threatened and thing, that is a total lie… totally lie.”

Isani Cayetano

“Okay, explain to me what happened at the hospital because, as you mentioned, the doctor is alleging that you guys went into the hospital and pretty much terrorized them and they were in fear of their lives. What actually happened that night at San Ignacio Community Hospital?”

Mynor Galindo

“Well, like I say again, I was never there but the understanding weh I di get through di media houses and di commissioner and things weh di go through, I di get feedback mostly through them. But when, if dehn feel threatened and deh feel soh, dehn have surveillance, dehn got surveillance, and if dehn wahn go through deh kinda thing deh, and if dehn feel threatened why dehn neva press it from di night and press charges and go proceed to the station? Dehn da government workers, dehn got all rights and when it come to wahn doctor or nurses, we all respect them cause dehn deh ya fi save life, dehn noh di ya fi hurt no one.”

Cabinet Condemns Incident at San Ignacio Community Hospital

Earlier today, the Government of Belize issued a press release in which it stated, “the entire Cabinet shares the outrage of the Belizean people at the incident which occurred at the San Ignacio Community Hospital on June first. Cabinet is grateful that medical practitioners, staff and patients were not harmed by those criminal elements who stormed the facility. Decisive action has been taken. Instructions have been issued, firstly, for the escalation of the operation to round up not only those persons who participated in the attack on our medical facility and staff, but all gang elements operating in San Ignacio and Santa Elena.”

Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police

“It’s a regrettable issue. We wish it did not occurred, but again, the reason why the police did not respond when they were called was because it was a busy night in San Ignacio. The police had other complaints that they were dealing with and so they could not have responded on time as the hospital requested. And I do agree with the hospital and I agree with the police as well, I have to strike a balance, but we have to find a solution moving forward to make sure that should there be any recurrence that what took place, or the sequence of events that took place on that night in question does not reoccur.”

Reporter

“But ComPol, how many other incidents would there have been that night not to warrant police responding immediately when, in essence, that’s a hostage situation. If you have doctors under the threat of firearms to say, “Unu need fi save this person life or else unu wahn dead.”

Chester Williams

“The police were at a stabbing. They had a stabbing. They had, I think a burglary, and there was another issue at a village. The police only had one vehicle that night that they could have utilized and so that was an issue.”

Are Police Still Investigating Murder of David Galindo?

In the wake of the incident, it has been reported that the individuals who stormed the hospital on the night of June first were gang members. It’s a claim that Mynor Galindo vehemently denies. While he admits his relatives are no saints, he maintains that they are not members of a gang. Galindo also tells News Five that investigators have since shifted their focus from solving his brother’s murder to seeking them out for prosecution.

Isani Cayetano

“You guys, as you mentioned, were having an issue with transporting your brother to the Western Regional Hospital. Explain to me what happened at that point where you guys perhaps finally got the ambulance to leave with your brother.”

On the Phone: Mynor Galindo, Bother of Deceased

“When di ambulance left then everybody left, everybody gaan and like a seh dehn just mi di go through lee rage caz di ambulance, from the first beginning, the ambulance noh even mi di deh. Dehn wait til the ambulance come and when the ambulance come, the ambulance driver, ih look like he had a issue fi mek somebody go along with the patient and da noh even wah male person gaan with the patient, da wahn female and I noh know weh dehn di get da gang thing from. I noh know who di put dehn dat but I woulda wahn know weh gang we label unda, that I woulda wahn know, weh gang we label under. Weh type ah gang, if da Bloods, Crips, what dehn call gang.”

Isani Cayetano

“Okay, so it would seem or it has been described elsewhere in the media that you are in hiding and that the police department is actively looking for you in relation to this incident that happened.”

Mynor Galindo

“Like I said, I noh eena know hiding. I noh have wahn problem fi go to the station, walk een deh and whatever dehn got fi deal with mek dehn deal with. I just concerned cause me, I da di one weh di deal with di things dehn fi arrange di funeral and thing like that deh. And dehn know exactly, dehn know all ah dat, and fi mek dehn cohn and just lock me down fi wah forty-eight hours weh noh mek no sense fi no reason, just cause dehn feel like, then I cyant afford that right now. I noh have wahn problem. Me and di commissioner have words before. If he wahn sih me, I noh have wah problem.”

Isani Cayetano

“You mentioned in your statement earlier as well that you guys haven’t received any kind of update or there’s no progress being made in the investigation into your brother’s murder. Talk to us about that.”

Mynor Galindo

“When it comes to my bredda murder, dehn just cohn and dehn shift di whole situation right round and mek ih come back right to we. I noh di seh that we da innocent people, we da dis or seka we da di victim or… di fact is that dehn just noh care. Dehn just put my bredda death pan di side and di person weh suppose to do it deh out deh freely and we da di target now. Dehn noh do no type a investigation fi seh well ah got wahn clue, well em, ah think dehn cohn from deh. We noh get no type ah feedback. My bredda just gaan and gaan right so.”

Mynor Galindo says Police and Media are Wrong

Mynor Galindo, the brother of David Galindo, a prominent gang figure, who was fatally shot recently, says that the Belize Police Department and the media are spreading misinformation.

It is reported that following David’s shooting, he was rushed to the San Ignacio Community Hospital for emergency care. It is also reported that several of David’s gang affiliates arrived at the hospital, threatening doctors and nurses there. They reportedly told the doctors that David needed to be saved or else they would be murdered.

On Monday, Police Commissioner Chester Williams told reporters he was appalled at what happened.

“I am appalled by it, I must say. I got a call the following morning from a doctor, the head doctor at the Western Regional Hospital and right away I put him on to Ms. Anderson who is the Western Regional Commander and the matter was addressed. The police went to the area, statements were recorded, photographs were taken, the scene was processed and police have gathered video footage as well. So we know exactly who the persons are that are responsible. From then to now, we have not been able to locate those persons. One of the persons of concern is, I think, Minor Galindo, he’s one of them. Since then, he has not been seen in the San Ignacio area. We understand that he had fled somewhere. The fact that his brother had passed away, we believe that that might bring him out of his hole and once he is found then he will be dealt with along with another person who were the two main aggressors at the hospital. But again, we condemn the actions done at the hospital.”

*Commissioner of Police, Chester Williams, speaking to reporters.*

In response to what Williams said and what the media reported, Mynor said in a statement, “No one has been arrested or charged for my brother’s death. Instead, the police are relentlessly pursuing us rather than the actual culprits. Despite providing detailed descriptions of the attackers and their vehicles to the authorities, there has been no discernible progress in the investigation. The authorities have utterly neglected their duty to ensure our safety and have instead harassed our family, baselessly accusing us of involvement in criminal activities.”

“We have received no support or justice from the authorities, and the media has perpetuated false narratives, The true perpetrators remain at large while we are wrongfully targeted. We demand a thorough and impartial investigation into the attacks on our lives and my brother’s murder. Additionally, we call for the media and the Police to rectify their false reports falsely labeling me and my family as part of a gang, despite no actual affiliation and accurately represent our situation. It is imperative that justice prevails and that the true perpetrators are brought to account.”

Minor says he is determined to correct misinformation spread by the police and media about their family. He says that two weeks ago, he survived an assassination attempt near his home, during which he disarmed a gunman and escaped unharmed despite another gunman firing at him. According to Mynorm, a week later, David, was fatally shot in a drive-by attack involving the same vehicle. He says that this information was shared with police.

This morning, ComPol Williams says he will be meeting with officials from the San Ignacio Community Hospital this afternoon.

Supporting Migrant Communities Through Hurricane Shelters

Hurricane season has commenced and now, with the inauguration of three newly built hurricane shelters, the villages of Santa Familia, Billy White and Duck Run Three can safely say that they are a little more prepared for the season. The installation of these shelters is part of the Building Climate Resilience and Social Integration of Displaced Peoples in Settlements of Western Belize Project, a joint effort between the Ministry of Sustainable Development and the International Organization for Migration, with funding from the European Union. On Friday, Minister of Sustainable Development, Orlando Habet, hosted a ceremony, commemorating the success of the endeavor. Here’s News Five’s Britney Gordon with more details.

Britney Gordon, Reporting

The Building Climate Resilience and Social Integration of Displaced Peoples in Settlements of Western Belize Project was launched to support displaced persons in migrant settlements to become productive members of their host communities, strengthen their socioeconomic growth and prevent the need for further displacement. The project commenced in December 2022 with the extension of the water system in Santa Familia Village, and was intended to end in December of 2023, however, it received a no-cost extension, and is now entering its second phase of projects. Diane Locke, Head of Office at IOM Belize, said that IOM is committed to aiding the villages with the development of their communities.

Diana Locke, Head of Office, IOM Belize

“All five communities have those that are pending will continue to receive maintenance manuals for the hurricane shelter. So it’s not just a shelter being handed over, but we’re also preparing manuals, which will guide the communities on maintenance and upkeep of the shelters. I must add that these community centers belong to the people of Santa Familia. They’re not a government owned community center. So it is in the hands of the community. They’re responsible for the upkeep and the maintenance of the building. Similarly, the three communities that received the upgraded water systems also received training and they also received a manual for the maintenance and upkeep of the system to the village chairperson and the villagers, We are pleased to be a partner in this process of your development through these small but impactful activities.”

The project is valued at two point six million dollars and Minister of Sustainable Development, Orlando Habet, says that each dollar was appropriately spent in ensuring that these shelters will withstand many hurricane seasons to come.

Orlando Habet, Minister of Sustainable Development

“In the face of nature’s fury, hurricanes have the power to devastate lives and communities, leaving behind a trail of destruction and despair. Yet in the darkest hours, it is our humanity. It is our sense of solidarity that shines the brightest. Today, we celebrate the unwavering commitment of my government and our community to protect and support one another, no matter the challenges that we may face. This hurricane shelter stands as a testament to our collective determination to safeguard the most vulnerable among us, the elderly, Children, the sick and the marginalized. It is a place where fear is replaced by courage, uncertainty by preparedness, and despair is replaced by hope. In times of crisis, it will serve as a sanctuary, providing not only shelter from the storm, but also essential resources, comfort, and care.”

The shelters are equipped with water tanks, a kitchenette and solar lights for additional security and community members were trained on how to properly care for and manage the new facilities.

Diana Locke

“Additionally, all five communities participated in shelter management training. First day training, fire management for emergency response teams, and firefighting brigades in the community. The community health workers in the Ministry of Health also received fresher training. All five communities have been given, will receive, and have been given, maintenance manuals, which is to be used and, and it tells you how to go about to do maintenance, the time of the maintenance on the community center for the proper upkeep of the building and similarly, for those communities that receive the water systems, they also got training and they also received a manual to tell them how to use the shelter. So as IOM, we’re very pleased to be a partner with you, mister Victor and the government of Belize. In this process, it’s a small activity, but it has a very powerful impact.”

Britney Gordon for News Five.

Is San Ignacio a New Hotbed for Violent Crimes?

There’s been an increase in violence in twin towns of San Ignacio and Santa Elena and some residents attribute the spike to the closure of the Hawkesworth Bridge. Last Thursday, we reported on the murder of an Asian restaurant owner who was shot and killed outside of his place of business. The rise in violent crimes has raised serious concerns and police commissioner Chester Williams visited his counterparts in that municipality to see how the issue can be brought under control. According to ComPol Williams, criminal elements from other parts of Cayo District are making their way to San Ignacio.

Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police

“The truth is, the issue in San Ignacio is one of concern and I share the same concern like you and the people of San Ignacio. I was there last week and I met with the Western Regional Commander and the command structure in San Ignacio Town and we discussed the ongoing crime problems there and see what we can do to address it. I have since put a number of things in place to be able to make sure that the people in San Ignacio feel safe, not just in their homes but also in the streets. I am sure that the people would be able to attest that over the weekend they saw increased police activities, including a number of operations. Certain persons were arrested and those operations are going to continue indefinitely. What we want to do is to make sure that we go after those persons who we believed are involved in these criminal activities and we’re not just looking at those persons in San Ignacio, but we’re also looking at the transient criminals. Those from Roaring Creek, Cotton Tree who may also go into the San Ignacio region and commit these types of crimes. So we’re ensuring that we target the entire Cayo District per se to go after persons we believe are involved in robberies as well as other shootings and gang activities.”

San Ignacio Community Hospital Comes Under Attack by Criminals

A recent incident at the San Ignacio Community Hospital has also raised concerns about the safety of the medical staff working at the public health facility. While police are seeking several individuals, they have been able to identify one person of interest who was involved in a noisy and unpleasant disturbance at the hospital.

Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police

Asian Businessman Gunned Down in Santa Elena

The nation’s latest murder victim is an Asian businessman from Santa Elena Town. Sheng Wen Wu, the proprietor of Allan’s Restaurant, was gunned down a stone’s throw away from his place of business. Wu arrived home at three a.m. on Thursday, inside his grey Toyota Forerunner. Unbeknownst to him, a pair of gunmen lurked in the area. When he got out of his vehicle, they pounced on him and demanded that he hand over the money. He was then shot twice. As he fled the scene on foot, the men pursued him on a motorbike. He was shot three more times and left for dead on the shoulder of the George Price Highway. According to business owners in the area, this is not the first robbery that has occurred in the area recently. Unfortunately, this one proved to be fatal. So, what has led to the uptick in crime, business owners believe that criminals are taking advantage of the fact that the Hawksworth Bridge is closed for renovations. The police station sits at the foot of the bridge on the other side of the Macal River. News Five’s Paul Lopez report.

Paul Lopez, Reporting

A Santa Elena businessman was gunned down near his establishment in the early hours of Thursday morning. Reports are that just after three o’clock, Sheng Wen Wu arrived in front of his restaurant, just across from the Social Security Board, when he was approached by two gunmen on a motorbike. The men reportedly attempted to rob Wu and he tried to escape. He was shot twice in front of his restaurant. He then fled on foot towards the Hawksworth Bridge. About one hundred yards away, the gunmen caught up with him and shot him dead. We spoke off camera with someone who told us that crime has increased in the area since the Hawksworth Bridge was closed for renovations a month ago.

Voice of: Santa Elena Food Vendor

“The main thing is that things the happen mostly now because the bridge close and now we don’t have the patrol unit like that the pass like how they use to pass. They are on foot but it takes a little while for them to come around. That is the main one right there. After nine most of the businesses they close and whosoever are left open to continue working through the night, we are the ones that have to look out for each other.”

Reports are that gunmen have targeted at least three businesses in the area recently, a supermarket, a meat shop and a vegetable vendor. With the uptick in crime, this food vendor is considering leaving her business behind for the sake of her safety.

Voice of: Santa Elena Food Vendor

“Yes, I even the think about give up, because you have to the watch your back and people may think you the make money, but at this time of the year you are not making money. And with the bridge being closed, you nuh the make no kind of money and you just the struggle and the little bit you make you are just investing it back again and people will come and hurt you for the little bit of money you have.”

Beyond the safety concerns is another challenge, one that has left a significant dent on their pockets. According to the woman, businesses in the area, including the restaurant owned by the murder victim, have taken a huge hit in revenue since renovations began on the Hawksworth Bridge.

Voice of: Santa Elena Food Vendor

“I just know he as a nice person, but I never really get to know him like that. I just purchased some stuff from him and that’s all.”

Reporter

“Ok, but he was a struggling businessperson as well.”

Voice of: Santa Elena Food Vendor

“Yes, just like myself, he was struggling as well. All of us, from the time the bridge closed down all of us have been struggling, big time. You could ask anybody and all of us the struggle. We even tried to plea with the town council to see if they could do anything about it so that the bridge could open faster than the time they say, because they said six to seven months. But I don’t know if it will happen.”

We reached out to Mayor Earl Trapp who informed us that contrary to what the business owners may be observing, police patrols have increased in the area. Mayor Trapp says that he believes the time the incident occurred may have contributed to the brazenness of the killers.

On the Phone: Earl Trapp, Mayor, Santa Elena/ San Ignacio

“To be honest, according to the O.C., police patrols have increased in Santa Elena because of that said reason, because the bridge is closed and one of the reasons why I sought to ensure that the low lying bridge would be a two way is for the said reason, to ensure that vehicles would be able to traverse along that path, crossing the low lying bridge into the George Price Avenue and the George Price Highway. So, for that said reason I went the extra mile and convinced the other parties we must allow the low-lying bridge to be two way, especially for smaller vehicles. When you look at the time that happened, that is three o’clock in the morning, so there is very little that maybe police could have done or people could have seen.”

Reporting for News Five, I am Paul Lopez.