2024-03-26 - Channel 5 Belize

Police Says State of Emergency Is A Necessary Course Of Action

The State of Emergency may be extended from time to time by a resolution passed by the National Assembly for further periods. As we mentioned, the SOE is a response to the recent flare-up in gang activity, which sparked concerns about public safety. Like in previous SOEs, residents in the targeted area say that this violates their human rights. Police Commissioner Chester Williams said that it is necessary for ensuring the good of the wider public.

Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police

“I have never heard the government being critical of it. I’ve heard that the SOE must use as a measure of last resort. I don’t think that any reasonable Belizean would ever say that the government and the police is not doing enough. We have an entire LIU program which is geared towards helping young people to help those young men who are caught up to see how they can come out of living that lifestyle. We are doing interventions. They are given employment opportunity. So the truth is that the government and the police is trying but again, we all know that there are going to be those persons who will not want to live a peaceful life and may continue to live that violent lifestyle. And so the SOE is geared at going after those persons. The amount of persons we expect to be detained from the SOE is not a huge number. It’s going to be a small number of persons because we just want to be able to pluck out the bad seeds and allow those other persons who are part of the LIU program and are productive to continue to do so.”

Britney Gordon

“Some people feel that SOEs are a violation of human rights. How does the police respond to this?”

Chester Williams

“Which rights is more important? The rights of fifty persons who hold the country, the city hostage? Or the rights of fifty people? Over one hundred forty thousand in a city or the rights of four hundred forty thousand people. We have to strike a balance and I’m sure that some human rights activists are going to agree that as a part of human rights, we have to look at the greater picture to see if we’re going to allow these people whose right we believe should be protected to continue to extinct themselves. I think that if we allow the extinction to continue, then we will be in breach of human rights norms because we are seeing a trend and we just allow it to continue. The fact that we step in and do the SOE, so get them to have a pause and to rethink, I think goes in line with maintaining human rights norms.”

Compol Says SOE Does Not Mean Defeat

With the implementation of the State of Emergency, comes several criticisms. The Belize Police Department now must resort to delegating a large portion of its manpower and resources to monitor hotspots and known gang members. Today, Police Commissioner Chester Williams was asked if this latest move was an admission of defeat by the department. Here is how he answered:

Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police

“To say a failure of the police, what does the police have to deal with? The police have to deal with the failure of society. You’re brothers, you’re children, your uncles, those persons who choose to live a violent lifestyle, da noh the police raised them. They’re raised in their respective homes and they turn out to be what many families do not desire them to have become, but that’s how they become. And so the police have to end up dealing with those persons. And yes, the country is huge. We all have a certain number of police officers. We can’t tag police to every criminal to make sure that we babysit them, that they don’t go and commit crime. So, to want to see that because we have the flare ups, it’s because of failure of police. I think that the police have been doing fairly well in making sure that we, we police the entire country in the most peaceful way that we can and try to make people feel comfortable. Yes, sometimes we fall short of that, but I’ve always said that the society have a role to play and we have working with us, the multi sectoral approach to fighting crime under the LIU. And we are seeing where other sectors of society are playing a role. But if the propensity or the mindset in the homes are not changed, then we’re always going to have this problem. When we have parents who are condoning what their children is doing, it is going to create problems. And already we are seeing where parents are calling, my son not this, my son not that, when in fact they know they pikni ney shoot gun. Right, but the minute the child is dealt with by the police, the parents want to come forward and swear for their children, we have to be real.”

Murder Of Ras Bobo Weighs Heavily In Community

We also asked Police Commissioner Chester Williams for an update on last Friday’s murder of Elwin “Ras Bobo” Lewis. Lewis was shot dead while driving a motorcycle in front of Gwen Lizarraga High School in Belize City. His murder shocked and saddened community members, as he was often regarded as a success story as a reformed gang member. Commissioner of Police, Chester Williams said that his presence will be missed in the Leadership Intervention Unit.

Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police

“I have sat in many interventions with Bobo and he has always been one of the positive ones. I’m trying to see how best he can help to quell the issues in the George Street area. Certainly, yes, his presence working with the LIU is going to be missed. We know that he did had issues with a particular group. And again, it’s a whole George Street fraction, as you would know that there’s a division in the George Street fraction and there was a group that was against him. But Bobo have always maintained his cool. And despite knowing that division and that and he mostly was there, he still felt comfortable moving in the area where the other factions were, hoping that the fact that he has been an elder, that he would be respected. But I guess what he had hoped for did not work out well for him.”

Reporter

”How close is the department in bringing charges against these alleged killers?”

Chester Williams

“We are working on that. We have a number of video footage that we are viewing. We have very good clues. It’s just a matter of us trying to put the pieces together. I will try to arrange for the investigators to see the DPP with the video footage and see if she’ll be able to provide some guidance to the police in terms of how we can proceed with the video footage that we currently have.”

Police Speculate Motive In Nigel Williams Murder

Police investigation into the shooting murder of thirty-year-old Nigel Williams continues. Williams was executed on Friday night while he was driving his vehicle on Saint Thomas Street. It is believed that his killer waited for the right moment to pounce. Since the incident, twenty-three-year-old Tyreke Supas has been arrested for the crime of murder. Today, we asked the Commissioner of Police, Chester Williams, if a motive has been established.

Britney Gordon

“In regards to the murder of Nigel Williams, I know that someone has already been arrested, Tyreke Sopas. Has a motive yet been established?”

Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police

“We believe that it’s a retaliation for the I think shooting death of one of the guy young, that took place a couple months ago.”

Britney Gordon

“So Mister Nigel Williams was gang affiliated?”

Chester Williams

“Yes, he was affiliated with one of the gangs on South Side Valley City.”

Police Determined To Find Dylan Anthony’s Killer

Friends, family, and colleagues are still grieving the loss of twenty-nine-year-old Dylan Anthony, a police constable from Camalote Village, who was shot and killed on Saturday. Commissioner of Police, Chester Williams said that while this case is close to home for the department, their priority is still to bring justice for the victim and his family.

Britney Gordon

“And what about Mister Dylan Anthony? Has there been any updates on his murder?”

Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police

“At this time, no.”

Reporter

“Did you meet with Mister Anthony’s family this weekend and what was that like in terms of trying to assure them that the department will get to the bottom of his murder?“

Chester Williams

“Certainly the death of Anthony is extremely tough for us. Anthony works at headquarters. Beside my office and I used to see him every day. A very big, humble, respectable young man. As a matter of fact, I always joked with him when I passed him and he always have that good sense of humor and that big smile on his face. I certainly will miss his presence and I want to assure his family that we will do all we can to find those persons who are responsible for his demise. I don’t want to hear that it’s a case of mistaken identity. The fact is that they killed someone and as much as yes we, it bothers us that it’s a police, but who the person is that they killed shouldn’t have to do with it. We currently have the suspects in custody. We believe we have. The two gun men in custody and they are currently being interviewed by the CIB in Belmopan, a major crime. And we are hoping that we should be able to make some significant progress by the end of the day today, where that murder is concerned.”

B.D.F. Destroys Bridges Built by Guatemalans in Belize

The Belize Defence Force destroyed two bridges built by Guatemalans inside the Columbia Forest Reserve in Belize. The bridges were used to facilitate illegal logging by Guatemalans. The discovery of the wooden bridges was made in late February. It was not until last week that Friends for Conservation and Development (FCD) brought it to the media’s attention, saying that a road stretching over two kilometers into Belize was observed. The wooden bridges facilitated truck access for timber extraction, which may involve rosewood and other valuable woods. Aerial observations reveal active and recent human activity, with stacks of timber visible. Deputy Commander of the B.D.F., Colonel Anthony Velasquez, told News Five that troops remain in the area to deter any further incursions.

Col. Anthony Velasquez, Deputy Commander, B.D.F.

“In late February, the Belize Defense Force patrols have discovered a network of tracks in the area, as well as, two reinforced bridges that was constructed from wood, from timber. And, we have discovered these things, and again, we have done our due diligence sent up the verification to the ministry for onward transmission to the Organization of American States. But, in addition to that, we have launched operations in the area and the two bridges have been destroyed and we have troops on the ground in the area right now to deter any further incursions in the area. For the moment, we have presence in the area, so we know that during the dry season, they would most of these activities would increase. So, we have increased active military presence in the area over this period to ensure that they do not return and continue their legal activities. So, one team would dismantle the bridges. The other teams would conduct security overwatch. The Belize Defense Force will continue to protect and defend our territorial integrity. And we continue to conduct patrols in these areas. However, these are vast territory, prime jungle, et cetera, et cetera, with numerous terrain features. From time to time, these incursions will occur. The moment they occur, the police defense force will be there to ensure that these activities are halted, where they started, and the environment will return back to the pristine nature that it was before.”

Guatemalan Cattle Ranchers Build Road in Chiquibul

Guatemalans have also built a road into the Chiquibul Forest. That road originates from across the border, and it is highly believed that it was commissioned by wealthy cattle ranchers living in Guatemalan towns. The Belize Defence Force is also aware of the threats this road poses, and plans are being put in place to destroy it. Deputy Commander Colonel Anthony Velasquez says they are keeping a close eye on the area.

Col. Anthony Velasquez, Deputy Commander, B.D.F.

“On the 7th of March, a patrol of Beliz Defense Force soldiers was tasked to go into this area to do a reconnaissance and it was it was discovered that, yes, there’s a road that extends well over a one kilometer into Belizean territory. And it’s a road that was cleared by heavy machinery, so it’s a pretty open road. Since then, the Belize Defense Force has been monitoring the area. We have sent patrols to the area to keep a close eye on the area, to monitor any movements in the area and to detained anyone found in the area. So we have we have a presence there at the moment to monitor this road. Another thing that we did was to get grid references for this road and send it to our Ministry of National Defense and Border Security where they will send it to Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Foreign Affairs will send it to the Organization of American States here in Belize the office and they will do a verification of the area and of the grid references to verify that it is in Belizean territory. Thereafter, after that verification is complete, we will then have options on whether to, on how we can go about destroying the road or limiting access to the road by anyone in the area.”

Hipolito Novelo

“When you say that there would be the need for verification that is simply a process, a procedural thing, because we know it’s in Chiquibul. We know that part of it is in Belize territory.”

Col. Anthony Velasquez

“Yes, it’s within Belizean territory. However, it’s part of the confidence building measure sent by Belize and Guatemala. Anything one kilometer within our territory, we have to inform the OAS so they can do a verification to ensure that it is in Belizean territory. And thereafter, we will take measures to destroy this road”

Senator Courtenay Calls Out U.D.P. Senators

Now news from the Senate Sitting today…the U.D.P.’s Antonio Herrera was the only opposition senator that was present inside the chamber of the National Assembly in Belmopan. Herrera, however, spent only a short time inside before walking out in protest, but not without Senator for Government Business, Eamon Courtenay making a point of his departure. Here is how that went.

Eamon Courtenay, Lead Senator, Government Business

“You should bow when you are leaving Senator Herrera and make sure that we all see. You are leaving for the day? Alright, have a happy day. With your leave, I will record historically that it is a disgrace and stain for the county of Belize that on the debate for the budget that at the next fiscal year the UDP is not present in this chamber. I say it is a stain and disgrace like it was in the house last debate.”

Opposition Condemns Acting GG’s Refusal to Sign Substitute Senators’ Instruments

The Opposition has come out swinging at the Cabinet Secretary, Stuart Leslie, in his capacity as Acting Governor-General, over his decision to not sign the instruments of appointment for the United Democratic Party. Leslie’s decision not to sign the document effectively invalidated the participation of the two substitute U.D.P. senators who were appointed by the Opposition last Friday. At a press briefing today, Opposition Leader, Moses “Shyne” Barrow, explained what happened.

Moses “Shyne” Barrow, Leader of the Opposition

“As we all know, there are different, circumstances that arise, and so you have to make temporary appointments. On Friday, temporary appointments were made. The letters of appointment were sent to the governor general’s office. The Governor-General office responded. Good receipt acknowledged there was no problem. There was no objection. Oh, we don’t have enough time. I called the Governor-General’s office on Monday at midday and Miss Casey confirmed that the instruments were prepared and ready to be signed, and there was no problem. Then I get an email a few hours later saying that due to circumstances beyond their control, the instruments would not be sent to the National Assembly. So I called Stewart Leslie and he says, Oh, he needs legal advice because of this and because of that, and I tried to clarify the matter for him and he said, okay, he’ll try to get it done in the morning. And I reached out to the President of the Senate who said she would follow up to see whether or not the Instruments came in, and my temporary senators went to the Senate and were refused to be seated saying that the Acting G-G refuses to sign the instruments.”

Opposition Leader Says the P.U.P. is Trying to Undermine Them

Barrow criticized the P.U.P. for what he thinks is making a mockery of the process and to push their political agenda using the Governor-General’s office in the person of the Acting Governor-General.

Moses “Shyne” Barrow, Leader of the Opposition

“His concern was that there were three instruments to be signed and one instrument was to come after the temporary Senator Instruments were the instruments that were priority because the permanent Senator, due to the vacation of one of the senatorships that comes after we already have in train. There’s a budget debate. This is not a no Senate meeting is regular, but this is an extraordinary Senate meeting to debate the budget to debate all the people’s monies will be spent. And so that takes time for preparation that – so we made – I got last-minute notices that my senators wouldn’t be available, the permanent ones, and so we made the Letter of Appointment to the G-G’s office immediately on Friday. And again, it’s, if the G-G’s office had said at the time: “It’s Friday, it’s too late, we can’t do it, we need 48 hours,” – cause that’s another thing they’re coming up with, this 48-hour rule, does not exist on the books. Does not exist. This is a protocol, a new policy that they have ad hoc, implemented. But what I’m saying is the purpose of the Office of the G-G is to facilitate these urgent requests. The PUP on one end tries to make a mockery of democracy when they do things like this. They always try to point out to who comes to host meetings and how many members of the opposition are there. When we have Opposition members eager and anxious to go to the Senate and having followed the procedures, everything should be done to facilitate our constitutional right. There are no favors being done here. There is no discretion in the office of the G-G. And if you look at this year’s budget, the governor general’s budget has increased, so they’re not short of staff. It is appalling the levels of which the People’s United Party would reduce themselves to in trying to undermine the Opposition, as well as democracy and we condemn it vehemently and we will take legal action to prevent these types of abuse.”