Tonight, a police officer is on remand at the Belize Central Prison after being accused of raping a female detainee at the Queen Street Police Station on Friday. It’s a shameful act reportedly carried out by forty-five-year-old Derwin Marin. The police constable was on duty, but had no business interacting with the woman. At some point, P.C. Marin allegedly approached her and offered to release her without charge in exchange for sex. He then proceeded to remove the woman from the holding cell and escorted her to another area of the station where he apparently had intercourse with her. In the wake of the incident, the Belize Police Department wasted no time in taking action against the rogue officer. Criminal and internal investigations are underway and the Commissioner of Police has condemned Marin’s actions. This morning, ComPol Williams appeared before the lower courts during Marin’s arraignment where he objected to bail. It is the second time within a few weeks that the top cop has donned his attorney’s cap to prosecute a matter.
Chester Williams
Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police
“Basically I appeared in court this morning to do the arraignment for the police officer who is charged with the crime of rape which took place at the Queen Street Police Station over the weekend.”
Reporter
“You objected to bail.”
Chester Williams
“Yes, I came to object to bail because we believe that the act is such that the police officer needs to remain in prison until the matter is heard.”
Reporter
“Now, this is a fairly mundane, straightforward prosecution. Why did you feel I important to bring your office to bear on it?”
Chester Williams
“Well I guess it’s the need to show the importance of the case. Like I said before, we have been doing our best to ensure that we rid ourselves of those rogue officers who constantly do things that embarrass the department. My presence here is a strong statement that we are doing what we can to ensure that persons who are aggrieved by the actions of police that they get justice. The person who is the victim was a prisoner in police custody. The investigation revealed that the police officer solicited sex from her in exchange for her release. He subsequently took her outside of her cell block where the act took place. We have secure several statements, as well as video footages that support her allegation.”
Reporter
“Was he aware of the security cameras?”
Chester Williams
“Well he has to be aware of it, every police officer who works at that cellblock area knows that cameras are there.”
Reporter
“Yeah, but did he go to a concealed area or an area outside of view?”
Chester Williams
“Well the cameras would not have captured the act itself, but the camera did pick up when he took her out of the cell and took her to the area where the alleged rape took place.”
P.C. Marin was not authorized to interact with female detainees, so what was he doing that would have brought him into contact with the woman? According to the Commissioner of Police, the victim was in custody along with another woman. Marin’s sole responsibility, as cellblock keeper, was to make sure that the prisoners were attended to while in detention.
Chester Williams
Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police
“He was just the cellblock keeper, his duty there was just to ensure that the prisoners are okay. If they needed water or anything of that sort, he provided for them, but when it comes to dealing with female prisoners, if any female prisoner needed to have been taken out of the cell, that should not have been his responsibility. That should have been done by a woman police officer. So his action in removing her from the cellblock was wrong and more so, the said that she told him she wanted a cigarette. He even went and got a cigarette for her, and the reason, according to him why she was taken from the cellblock, was to go and smoke a cigarette which, again, is utterly wrong. So we have seen a number of breakdowns in terms of our internal policies that will be addressed likewise. There was another female prisoner in the cellblock and yes, she saw what took place and she did have some concerns and whenever the shift changed and the other officers came on, she was the one who reported first to the police.”
Reporter
“How hard was it to get the victim to make a complaint? We know that maybe she is someone who has been in the cellblock before, you know, she may be intimidated by the situation.”
Chester Williams
“It was not difficult, she was forthcoming and we are very much appreciative of that and this is what we want, that whenever we do have these allegations that people can feel free to come forward so that we can address it. Oftentimes, we hear people say police this and police that, but they are never willing to come forward and give statements. To see that she was brave enough to do so, we are grateful.”
Chester Williams
“When it comes to cases involving police officers, we have to take it very seriously. We are the custodians of the law and when we have people in our care, we must ensure that we do what we can so as not to breach that trust and confidence. The actions of P.C. Marin are such that it is an egregious act of breach of trust and confidence and we must do as best as we can to demonstrate to the public that while this had occurred, that we will do our best to ensure that the officer is held to account forwhat he did.”
A statement issued by the Belize Police Department reads, quote, the ongoing internal investigation aims to determine whether there was any lapse in supervision or neglect of duty that may have allowed this egregious act to occur. The B.P.D. is dedicated to transparency and accountability, ensuring that justice is served and public trust is maintained, end quote.
Investigators are stumped and unable to make an arrest in the murder of Alfredo Enrique Rodriguez David. On Thursday evening, sometime around five p.m., police were called to an area near the Port of Belize where they discovered the body of the construction worker with a gunshot injury. The forty-two-year-old was fishing at the waterfront when he came under deadly gunfire by an unknown assailant. According to ComPol Williams, they have been unable to make any progress in the case.
Chester Williams
Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police
“At this time, no. We don’t have any tangible leads in respect to that matter. I know the police are busy in the area trying to gather as much as they can, but so far they have not been able to unearth anything that could lead them in a particular direction.”
Reporter
“By all accounts, he seemed to have been a law abiding citizen. Do police believe that this may just have been a senseless killing.”
Chester Williams
“Perhaps, and from all indication it would seem as if he was in the area fishing when he was targeted. So we are hoping that we will be able to get something that can give us some leads in respect of that matter.”
On Sunday, the People’s United Party held one of the largest conventions Toledo has seen in decades to decide upon a standard bearer for the upcoming bye-election. After the passing of former Toledo East Area Representative Mike Espat, three P.U.P. candidates offered themselves up for the post. These candidates were Nicanor Requena, Doctor Osmond Martinez, and Melhem Espat. The convention was deemed a success as an unprecedented number of voters made their way to the polling stations in Bella Vista village and in Punta Gorda Town, with three thousand, five hundred and fifty-six voters. After hours of voting and counting, Doctor Osmond Martinez emerged victorious. News Five’s Britney Gordon was there to detail the days’ proceedings. Here’s more on that.
Britney Gordon, Reporting
On Sunday, what typically would have been a quiet morning for residents of Punta Gorda Town and the Bella Vista community, was a flurry of activity as voters and supporters crowded the streets, readying themselves for the PUP convention. Even before the stations opened at nine a.m. swarms of supporters, dressed in royal blue t-shirts with their candidate of choice, were camped just outside the stations. First to make an appearance at the Bella vista polling station was Doctor Osmond Martinez, who certainly had the loudest supporters of the day.
Britney Gordon
“Do you feel that your team has done the work to ensure that people come out today? Do you anticipate the turnout will be good?”
Osmond Martinez
Doctor Osmond Martinez, PUP Standard Bearer
“Well, I think you should just look at the crowd and the energy. They are reenergized, ready for a change, ready for new vision, ready for new leadership. So we are here, ready to work.”
Britney Gordon
“And that vision, talk to me a little bit about that vision, what you’re hoping will come out of your possible success.”
Doctor Osmond Martinez
“The Communities have different needs. But one of the things that we cannot do is to take advantage of the poor people. We need to take care of the poor people, and that’s what we will do
The activity in Bella Vista subsided around midday, but picked up with the arrival of Nicanor Requena, who said that the abundance of voters bodes well for the success of the convention.
Nicanor Requena
Nicanor Requena, Political Candidate
“It’s been really good. I think that we are up to seeing an unprecedented turnout in this convention. I think a lot of people were excited about this convention and so this morning got off to a very busy start it was a bit hectic in PG this morning, I must say, but very grateful that our people were coming out and casting their votes. I feel that our people are going to speak today, and they are going to choose the best candidate. I am hopeful that they’re going to choose Nick Requena because Nick Requena is about working with the people and for the people. But at the end of the day, it is the people’s choice.”
Of this large turnout, a few voters were willing to share what informed their vote. Many of them were simply anticipating a change.
Voter
Voter
“The change that I hope to see that change can come into the smaller communities and don’t be like before that the people that come into power don’t care about the smaller communities.”
Juan Requena
Juan Requena, voter
“Well we want change. We want a minister [area representative] because the one we had gone. We have to put another one.”
Further south in Punta Gorda, Melhem Espat, the son of late area representative Mike Espat, was on the ground, ensuring that his supporters were mobilized to vote. Espat declined an interview, but he told us that the day had been hectic. The polls were initially scheduled to be closed at four p.m., but due to the crowd that was still waiting when the deadline arrived, it was extended another hour. After this, counting commenced, and finally at seven p.m., PUP Chairman Henry Charles Usher announced the winner.
Henry Usher
Henry Usher, Chairman, PUP
“And receiving one thousand seven hundred and sixty-two votes, doctor Osmond Martinez, the new standard bearer for the People’s United Party. And a standard bearer that is going towards victory in the by election next month. Congratulations, doctor Osmond Martinez. A well-deserved victory.”
We caught up with the newly-elected standard bearer to hear how motivated he is going into the upcoming bye-election. Martinez told us that the work has only just begun.
Osmond Martinez
Doctor Osmond Martinez
“It was a lot of work, a lot of sacrifices but we haven’t won anything. This is just the start. We need to win the bi-elections.”
Britney Gordon
“But it was a remarkable turnout today. Do you think this is a good signal going into the bye-elections?”
Doctor Osmond Martinez
“Of course. I think it’s the people who are energized and I must say that both my colleagues Melhem Espat and Nicanor Requena did an excellent job. So the outcome of this convention is because We are one team, one PUP and we did we did bring out the people.”
Britney Gordon
“And so are you confident going into the bye-elections now that you will be able to continue on this trend of success for your party?”
Doctor Osmond Martinez
“We will continue to work hard and harder.”
Usher attributed the success of the day’s turnout to the hard work put in by the candidates. He is confident that the momentum of the event will carry over into the upcoming bye-election.
Henry Usher
“I have to congratulate the teams the candidates and their teams for really being on the ground since we announced the convention here in Toledo East, it was ramped up because of, of course, the unfortunate passing of the Honorable Mike Espat, and I’m sure he’s looking down right now and saying he’s happy to see so many of his people here in Toledo, he’s coming out and supporting the People’s United Party. I think that the energy today will spill over. There’s a lot of momentum going into the bye election. It has, it’s going to be about a month away before the bye-election because the constitution calls for vacancies in the National Assembly to be filled ninety days from when the vacancy was created. Of course, as I mentioned, the Honorable Mike passed away April twenty-second. So we’re looking at around July twenty-second, July twenty-third for this vacancy to be filled. So it’s about a month away but this is a lot of momentum. I’m very encouraged to see the turnout. Of course, as the winning candidate said, we have to unite, we have to work together. We are a united party, and we have to go into the by election united to secure that victory.”
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
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
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.”
Today, a group of youth leaders who have completed a visit to the U.S have opened a podcast action centre and studio with the support of the U.S Embassy and the Love Foundation. The project is designed to keep the youths engaged on difficult topics affecting them, through podcasts that are held from their own studio. The venue at the former Belize Friends School building on Central American Boulevard in Port Loyola, is where the youths gather to discuss their challenges and share those experiences via podcasts. It all came together when their application to the U.S Embassy for grant funding, with support from the Love Foundation, came through. The U.S Embassy’s Public Affairs Officer, Luke Martin said the project received forty thousand U.S, dollars.
Luke Martin
Luke Martin, Public Affairs Officer, U.S. Embassy
“Some of our youth ambassadors that went to the United States. Once they came back, they applied for an alumni grant working with Love Foundation and also with the Friends United Meeting here, the Friends School to try to get a this is a media hub they’re going to use for south side kids in the school here. Teaching them about social media, teaching them how to record podcasts, and how to talk about difficult subjects on their podcasts as well. So it’s a great opportunity for them to really understand media environment, practical skills for them in the future too. The grant itself is called the Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund, A.E.I.F., and for any us exchange alumni that come back to Belize they are able to qualify. They can apply for these. It’s actually super competitive. So we were glad that along with love Foundation, the youth ambassadors, that they were recognized for a really strong proposal and were granted this money. So we encourage all our alumni to apply for things like this because there’s great opportunities to engage with the communities here.”
Devannie Apolonio is a youth ambassador who plays a key role in not only what the action centre and studio will offer her peers, but in seeking the funding through the Love Foundation for the project to materialize. She explained how losing her little sister some months ago flung her into the throes of grief and she herself used the medium to better cope. And Managing Director of the Love Foundation, Deborah Erskine explained how the foundation was able to assist the youths to tap into the funding. She shared that this Wednesday they will record the first of six episodes on different topics, after which they will air.
Devannia Apolonio
Devannia Apolonio, Youth Ambassador Alumni
“I would have my recording once every two weeks on a topic that I would feel free to bringing the professionals in and opening a discussion, bringing the students, bringing other people who would feel comfortable on that basic topic and let us have a discussion and find that solution as one. Mental health is a big struggle as a young person myself. I recently lost my little sister in February, and grief is my big thing, and this is my thing to do. So it really took on a toll on me, but I’m coming back from that. I’m using my sister as my shoulder to inspire people that, yes, grief is something, but you could overcome it and take it one step at a time. And so in this podcast room, we’re going to have an open discussion on certain topics that People would feel like if you want to start having a conversation, it would be, wouldn’t be accepted in certain areas where it would in this wide classroom, you come in and you talk as freely as you want with the guidance of a professional and your peers.”
Debra Erskine
Debra Erskine, Managing Director, Love Foundation
“It’s the first time that Belize has received one of these awards, and actually it was a group of youth ambassadors that came together and they had the idea. So the idea is from the youth ambassadors and then the Love Foundation just basically helps with the writing of the proposal, putting the ideas together. So we did that approximately two years ago and we got funded a year ago. They felt that this was a great way to help other young people countrywide, not just within their community. So they were looking at an opportunity to really be able to air. Issues social issues that they may be going through but they just they wanted it to be available to young people everywhere So hence the reason for bringing in professionals alongside with them so that young people are able to get the right Information and know where to go to for help if they need, to seek help or advice from someone.”
The compounds of Queen Square Primary and Wesley Upper schools were cleared this morning following reports of a bomb threat at Wesley Upper School. Both grounds are located across from each other on Dolphin Street. Law enforcement officers responded swiftly to the report and within thirty minutes the all-clear was given. By that time, the school had already alerted parents and guardians of the situation. They were asked to pick up their children from school. Here is what we heard from a few parents who visited the schools to get their children.
Voice of: Queen Square Primary School Parent
Voice of: Queen Square Primary School Parent
“No deh send a text. I don’t really know what happened. Just a text came in and said bomb threat at Wesley School so come in for your kids.”
Paul Lopez
“So you came for your kid?”
Voice of: Queen Square Primary School Parent
“Yes sir.”
Paul Lopez
“How serious you take something like this?”
Voice of: Queen Square Primary School Parent
“Well you don’t play with things like these. You go for your children when problems so I come for my child.”
Voice of: Wesley Upper School Guardian
Voice of: Wesley Upper School Guardian
“I was home and then one of the neighbors came and I heard someone outside shouting my name and the neighbor said. Yow there is a bomb threat at school, go for your brother. So I just jump up and I come and check what happened and when I reach here I saw it is all clear and it was not serious. So it is something good to hear.”
Paul Lopez
“How serious you took a news like this?”
Voice of: Wesley Upper School Guardian
“Honestly, I didn’t take it seriously because from I was going to primary school I believe it is just something to get a day off. I didn’t take it serious, but I just came to be on the safe side nuh.”
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
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.”
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
Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police
“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.”
