We also asked the Commissioner of Police for an update on the investigation into Clay Uter’s murder on Good Friday in Lake Independence. According to ComPol Chester Williams, investigators are following several leads and hope to soon make an arrest.
Chester Williams
Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police
“We are following some leads. WE have an idea who the persons are that are responsible and we are hoping we will be able to get the evidence. Again there are certain things we are looking at where evidence is concerned and we just have to work at it more.”
One of Belize’s former Speaker of the House of Representatives and former Postmaster General, Charles Bartlett Hyde was laid to rest on Wednesday following a funeral service. The late Hyde, who was also at one time the chairman of the Public Service Commission and the father of Evan X Hyde, the publisher of the Amandala newspaper, passed away on March twenty-third. The former longstanding public officer was bestowed the title of Member of the Order of the British Empire in 1977 on the occasion of the twenty-fifth anniversary of the coronation of Queen Elizabeth the Second. Hyde was one hundred years old. News Five’s Marion Ali brings us a report on the funeral service that was held in his memory.
Marion Ali, Reporting
Draped with the Belizean flag, and carried by six members of the Belize Defence Force, the casket of Charles Bartlett Hyde filed past officials of the parliament at the Lord’s Ridge Cemetery, where the remains of the former Speaker of the House were interred. In death, Hyde was remembered as the person he was in life, a dutiful son of the soil. Speaker of the House, Valerie Woods, delivered the official remembrance at the funeral service at the Divine Mercy Church.
Valerie Woods
Valerie Woods, Speaker of the House
“C B. Hyde received his formal education at Holy Redeemer School and St. John’s College, where he graduated in 1940. He recounted getting his first job, however, at the tender age of 12 years, with Sergeant Maurice Fuller, who lived in an adjoining lot, where he would chop firewood and run errands for 25 cents a week. After graduating from St. John’s College, he got another job as office boy, as the term was back then at Mr. Turton’s office, with a weekly salary, now of 1. Interestingly, at one point, C. B. Hyde was at a crossroads in terms of his true calling in life. Should he become a machinist, an engineer, and seaman like his father? Or should he aspire for something different, which his mother encouraged due to his Cambridge school certificate. However, it was Providence that intervened in the form of the late Mr. Lindsey Jeffries. Treasury Superintendent, who suggested to his friend, Jim Hyde, that C. B. apply for the vacant post of messenger in the Colonial Civil Service, with a salary now of 15 a month. That was the genesis of his civil service career, and a lifetime of public service, which followed.”
One of Hyde’s sons, Dr. Ronald Hyde, delivered the eulogy.
Ronald Hyde
Dr. Ronald Hyde, Son of Deceased
“One thing was unquestioned throughout his life. He loved and respected his children and displayed an open mind to all of us. Never dictating to us, but encouraging the expression of ideas and arguments. Yes, those expressions, arguments were sometimes vehement, but never with animosity. It was an era when children were to be seen and not heard. And certainly when his friends came over to play cards, we adhere to the rules of the era. But otherwise it was a home where he was curious about our thought process and everyone had a valued opinion. Maybe that is why we Hydes seem to like engaging with people who have different opinions than us. As much as he relished intellectual pursuits and complex mathematical problems, Dad was a man who looked for the sporting side of life. Work was to be done promptly and well. Ideally, such labors would employ boy power, as he called it. Despite the family machine shop mantra that one bwai da bwai, two bwai da half a bwai, and three bwai da no bwai at all. But after work, it was fun and games. And he took those games seriously, always studying the methods and tactics of every discipline. And he was good at most of them as you’ve heard.”
The Belizean National Flag, which draped Hyde’s casket, was folded up by the six soldiers who bore the casket. During the interment, wreaths were laid by Acting Governor-General, Stewart Leslie, Prime Minister John Briceño, and Speaker Woods. Prime Minister Briceño presented Hyde’s eldest son, Evan X Hyde, with the flag that draped his casket. Fittingly, the Belizean National Anthem sung by the attendees to the live accompaniment of the B.D.F. Band, closed off the funeral service. Marion Ali for News Five.
Charles Hyde presided over the House of Representatives as the Speaker from November thirtieth, 1979 to November ninth, 1984. He was bestowed with the titles of Member of the Order of the British Empire in 1977 and Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 1998. Born in 1923 to Eunice, née Lake, and James Bartlett Hyde in then British Honduras, Hyde served Belize for many years in the public service. He was Assistant Postmaster from 1960 to 1962 and when he retired in 1978, it was in the capacity of Postmaster General. For his outstanding contributions, the administrative building, formerly known as the Complex Building on Mahogany Street in Belize City, was named the Charles Bartlett Hyde Building in 2008 in his honour. Charles Hyde was a hundred years old.
Emergency Medical Technician Abner Bacab of the Island Emergency Services in San Pedro Town says he is being unfairly treated by the Ambergris Caye Traffic Council Committee. According to Bacab, the committee rejected his application to receive permits for two motorcycles, which he uses to provide medical care across the island. Bacab explained that his motorcycles are equipped with advanced first aid kits, consisting of items such as IVs, gauze, neck colours, splints, and bandages. Bacab maintains that by having these motorcycles in operation, medical professionals can arrive at the scene of medical emergencies faster and stabilize patients while the ambulance is on its way. He claims that he had already received authorization to use these motorcycles from the town’s mayor and was very surprised by the recent rejection of his application. Here’s how he explained it.
Abner Bacab
Abner Bacab, Emergency Medical Technician, IMS, San Pedro
“Last week, I went to the town council expecting that all my permits were already approved, and when I arrived there, they said they had been denied. So I was really surprised, I was really surprised of the outcome of their meeting and the board basically denying our permit when it’s just a much needed service in San Pedro which is going to uplift our community services and our services in for our tourism, our people that visit us. So there was no grounds in saying what was the reason for the denial rather than saying they don’t see the need for it, to me that was a really bad response on them on making that decision as denying our motorcycle permits. Bear in mind, I’ve been working my motorcycles for months in San Pedro under the authorization of the mayor. I know the mayor sits on the Ambergris Caye Traffic Council Committee, and so do many people that I know, so I don’t believe it is it was the right thing to do. Our company as an ambulance service as an emergency medical. Provider is actually challenging the Ambergris Caye Traffic Council Committee decision where we’re going to take them to court because it’s, it wasn’t the right thing to do. If we go to court, I can tell you, I’m really knowledgeable about all the laws about emergency medical service here in San Pedro. I’m an EMT, so I know what’s going on. What we need to get done to be able to save people’s lives. Now, I’ve told the Ambergris Caye Traffic Council Committee, I’ve been talking to the mayor, I’ve spoken to our area rep, Andre Perez, and they don’t seem to understand it. And I told them, I’ve went so far to let them know that if they go to court, they’re gonna lose, because they don’t have anybody in the Ambergris Caye Traffic Council Committee that knows anything about emergencies. It’s a losing case for you. I don’t have anything to lose. I’ve said it many times. I have so much to gain. I’ve tried to make communication with them to no prevail.”
Prime Minister John Briceño announced today that Belize Rural South Area Representative Andre Perez is returning to cabinet as the Minister of Blue Economy and Disaster Risk Management. Perez now assumes control of the National Emergency Management Organization, NEMO, and the National Fire Service. This announcement comes four weeks after the municipal elections and more than seven months after Perez went on leave following allegations of sexual misconduct. Those allegations were levied by female attorney Wendy Auxillou. When asked for comment, Minister Perez told News “I thank the Prime Minister for his decision to invite me back to Cabinet and will work hard every day for the Belizean people, especially the good people of Belize Rural South.” As for requests for an update to the investigation, Attorney General Anthony Sylvestre told us that the request would have to be made to the Office of the Prime Minister. But, one portfolio that Perez does not get back is Civil Aviation which now falls under the purview of the Prime Minister. Perez was one of the persons who led the P.U.P. to victory in San Pedro Town on March sixth. Also, Cayo Central area representative Alex Balona is now the Minister of State in the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security, and Enterprise. Belize Rural North Area Representative Marconi Leal is now the Minister of State in the Ministry of Infrastructure Development and Housing. Cayo West Area Representative is now the Minister of State in the Ministry of Investment. The Office of the Prime Minister says “These adjustments and assignments come on the heels of an overwhelming mandate at the polls, a reminder not only of the confidence and trust in this government, but also of the tremendous responsibility we have to the people of Belize.”
The Belize National Teachers’ Union is gearing up to conduct a bi-election to elect a national president. Jorge Mejia was appointed acting president in September of last year following Ruth Shoman’s controversial resignation. The election of a new national president is scheduled for Wednesday in Belmopan. Today, B.N.T.U. members gathered at the Our Lady of Guadalupe High School compound for their fifty-fourth annual convention. There, we spoke with Mejia about the activities scheduled for the two-day event.
Jorge Mejia, Acting President, B.N.T.U.
“First of all we are having our fifty-fourth annual convention, BNTU, and then today we are conducting the business of the union. And, at the moment we will be reviewing our constitution which is important to our members. Tomorrow it will be crucial, we will be having an election, a bi-election for our president. It is important for our members to come tomorrow to exercise thier democratic right to elect the next national president of BNTU.”
Paul Lopez
“How do we ensure transparency and fairness in the process, because while it is a union election, the union collaborates strongly with the public.”
Jorge Mejia
“We have an excellent team which is the election committee that oversees the entire process. And so tomorrow if you want to know, you can come tomorrow and you will get the result after the election.”
Paul Lopez
“How important is it to have your members come out and vote?”
Jorge Mejia
“Very, because it is their right to exercise because the person they choose will lead us for the future.”
As you heard, the Belize National Teachers’ Union will be electing a new national president on Thursday. Two members are vying for the position. They are Ifasina Efunyemi and Nadia Caliz. We sought to speak with both candidates today in Belmopan. Caliz denied our request for an interview but says she has nothing to hide and will grant an interview after Thursday’s election. Efunyemi, on the other hand, was willing to speak. She is one of the three candidates who lost to Ruth Shoman in April 2023. This bi-election gives her another chance at the presidency, and she says that she is feeling very confident this time around.
Ifasina Efunyemi, President Candidate, B.N.T.U.
“I am feeling very confident. I am feeling very calm. I know and have a lot of confidence in the members of the BNTU. At the end of the day the m3mbers they get the leaders they deserve it is just like democracy overall, people get the leaders they deserve because they get the leaders they choose and even if they don’t make themselves available and are present for choosing they still end up with whoever is chosen by those who go and make that decision on thier behalf so I would like to appeal to members to be fully present. It is.important that we are here. We claim to be Defenders of democracy. We are key in this democracy in Belize. We establish a balance in our democracy and our hold our leaders accountable. This is why we saw to it that the UN Convention against Corruption is signed and that we have a thirteenth senator. The BNTU was a big part of those things happening. So to whom much is given much is required but we have to be fully present. It cannot be the minority that makes the decision. However if you forfeit your right, your voice, it will be the minority that makes the decision.”
We also asked candidate Ifasina Efunyemi for her thoughts on comments Education Minister Francis Fonseca made two weeks ago against the union’s executive inside the National Assembly. In his remarks, Minister Fonesca said that there are still a few U.D.P.’s who want to create mischief before the municipal elections. He was referring to the B.N.T.U.’s press conference on March fifth in Belmopan. Acting-President, Jorge Mejia declined to comment, but Efunyemi says that Minister Fonseca is doing what politicians do: misleading and disseminating misinformation. Here is how she puts it:
Ifasina Efunyemi
Ifasina Efunyemi, President Candidate, B.N.T.U.
“The Minister was being a political and he was doing what politicians do, “politrickians”, that is why there is that coining of the term because when they are playing that game the whole point is to mislead by giving misinformation. The conference that happened the day before was led by the council of management of the Belize Teachers Union. And, while our political affiliation is our constitutional right, the BNTU is not a political party and has to fight fervently to ensure that none of the parties, so that partisan politics undermines the strength of the union, which is our struggle right now because we have members who have their alliance with their different parties but their allegiances happens to be to their political parties.If that is the case that is where we will have some problems with our union.”
The voir dire in the case of the Bladen Twelve resumed today at the Charles Bartlett Hyde Building in Belize City. The twelve men are facing trial for the landing of a drug plane on the Southern Highway on November fifth, 2021. The prosecution called its fifth and sixth witnesses today in the persons of a police corporal and a Justice of the Peace. Head of Prosecutions, attorney Alifah Elrington, called Corporal Jose Uh this morning. Uh, who was a constable at the time, recorded a caution statement from one of the accused, Moises Perez. The defense is claiming that several of the defendants were beaten or threatened while in police custody following the discovery and seizure of the plane. In court today, much of the arguments centred on whether Moises Perez was abused in any way. The JP, Martin Cal, was present during the recording of that statement and said he spent a few minutes alone with Perez before he gave the statement. Today, the Senior Magistrate presiding over the matter admitted Perez’s statements so that the court can determine at the end of this voir dire, whether any of the defendants were coerced, beaten, or in any way abused to give their statements. We spoke first to one of the defence attorneys, Leroy Banner, and then to the Head of the Prosecutions Branch, Alifa Elrington.
Leroy Banner
Leroy Banner, Attorney for Four Accused Drug Traffickers
“The person who recorded the caution statement testified today. It was tendered. So she just mark it to say it is entered into evidence.”
Reporter
What does that mean, because at the end of the voir dire she will decide whether the caution statement will be accepted into evidence is what we understand.
Leroy Banner
“That is so. At this stage, it’s just – we’re going through the process, then she will decide after hearing both sides if it was given freely and voluntarily, then she was admit it into evidence formally. So right now it is just tendering into evidence, and if she decides okay, I’m satisfied that it was given freely in compliance with theEvidence Act, I will admit it. But at this stage, no, we’re not at that stage yet.”
Reporter
“She also said that she is not looking at the content right now. What does that mean?”
Leroy Banner
“Okay, that means – because when it comes to a caution statement, what is important is not the truth of the caution statement. What is important is that when the police got the statement, was it given freely? Was the person beaten? Was he threatened? Those are the questions, so it’s not per se if it’s the truth. We’re not concerned about the truth. We are concerned if the police follow the Evidence Act. Was there any force? Was there any inducement? Was there any promise? Today. We focused on Mr. Perez’ statement. He gave two statements on the 5th and 6th of November 2021. Those are the statements we challenge.”
Alifa Elrington
Alifa Elrington, Head of Prosecutions Dept.
“The defense has been alleging or suggesting that they were beaten and beaten for all the time that they were in police custody and therefore they had no other reason but to give these statements because the police were beating them and beating them. I believe that on the last occasion, I told the court that we would have about 10 witnesses for the voir dire. So if we’re at about six, then I have about four more witnesses.”
Throughout much of today, the defense based its arguments on the premise that there was police abuse committed against the defendants. This afternoon, the prosecution called JP Martin Cal to testify. He told the court that the statement of defendant, Moises Perez was taken in his presence, during which the police constable, Jose Uh offered him food and water. However, the defense suggested to Cal that he did not ask the defendant whether he was abused prior to the recording of the statement. The cross-examination process, as Elrington explained, can be a tedious one. She addressed that matter as well as an allegation that defendant, Elmer Nah made.
Alifa Elrington
Alifa Elrington, Head, Prosecutions Branch
“The National Forensic Science Service, Mr Cho was one of the co-chairs along with two Justices of the High Court, and we were supposed to be looking at the actual the National Forensic Science Service and how it relates to the Criminal Justice System. What are the difficulties that we all face and how it is that we can make it better.”
Reporter
“The very last thing I wanted to ask on the previous occasion, one of the accused had complained about his transportation detail from the prison. I believe it’s under your purview. I’m not sure you could clarify, but the senior magistrate had said that it’s a matter to be addressed through PSB. I think you may have some involvement, but was that addressed?”
Alifa Elrington
“So technically, prosecution branch is responsible for the transporting of prisoners. Ordinarily, what would happen is that the prison would bring down prisoners in the morning, and then my office is responsible to transport prisoners back in the afternoon because this is a very high-profile case, as Mr Bradley has said countless times in interviews and we’re dealing with a high-profile defendant, we have had to add security measures in the transporting of those two prisoners. So what has happened is that GI-3 is assisting in the transporting of those two prisoners for this particular case. Defense Counsel, Mr Jones did get up and did say to the court that his client made certain complaints to him. Based on what was said, I indicated to the court that as much as it is that he is making that for the court’s knowledge, the proper procedure, if it is that he’s having a difficulty with a police officer, our police officer is doing something that he’s not required to do or he’s not expected to do as a police officer. The proper procedure was to make an official complaint through the Professional Standards Bureau of the Belize Police Department. After that complaint was made, I subsequently got certain information as it relates to the actual transportation. So there is actual video footage of the full transportation of Mr. Nah when he was picked up at the prison, when he was escorted out the prison doors, into the prison van and the prison van is actually secured also with video cameras at the front and at the back. So his entire transportation while he was on that prison van was also recorded.”
Taiwan was rattled by a seven-point four magnitude earthquake. This is the strongest tremor that has hit the island nation in more than twenty-five years. At least nine persons have been confirmed dead with hundreds more injured. Authorities have issued warnings of potential aftershocks in the coming days. Many Belizeans are in Taiwan and News Five’s Hipolito Novelo spoke to one of them.
Hipolito Novelo, Reporting
Belizean teacher living in Taiwan, Melody Wagner recounted the moment she felt her building shaking. She was on the nineteenth floor when the island nation was hit by a seven point four magnitude earthquake at round eight a.m. local time on Wednesday.
Melody Wagner
Melody Wagner, Belizean Teacher Living in Taiwan
“Well, immediately, like I had to kind of regulate myself a bit because your first. First I was, I thought I was just dizzy and I was like, oh wait, it’s an earthquake. So I just kind of sat down for a bit thinking like, you know, let’s just wait until it passes because I live on the 19th floor. So it’s not really smart to try to take the elevators down. So I just kind of sat on my bed was the most safe location in my apartment. So I just sat there waiting for it to pass.”
The earthquake rattled Taiwan’s east coast, claiming the lives of at least nine individuals. Rescuers are tirelessly working to free numerous others trapped under debris caused by landslides and collapsed structures. With over 900 reported injuries and more than 100 buildings damaged, authorities are grappling with the aftermath of one of Taiwan’s strongest earthquakes in 25 years.
Melody Wagner
“From my 19th floor apartment, most earthquakes that are above five would like really have an impact. Like I would feel like I’m swaying, like I’m in a hammock kind of feeling which is quite uncomfortable, but this one was a lot more intense because more things were shaking. Like, behind me I have like shells, but you can’t really see them, but. My shelves things that I have on my shelves, some of things fell down, some of the carvings and stuff that I have up in my apartment fell down. So that made me realize, you know, this might be a bit intense. I just kept hearing like rattling and I have a mirror on my cupboard and that kept like rocking vigorously back and forth. So, it kind of made me realize maybe this is a serious one. Also the duration of it, it was a lot longer than the usual earthquakes that happened. I’ve experienced since living here.”
Wagner is one of many Belizeans living in Taiwan. She says that she got in contact with those she knows to ensure that they are safe. There have been 29 aftershocks since the quake. Forecasts suggest that tremors as powerful as magnitude 7 could occur in the coming days. The earthquake resulted in power cuts affecting more than 91,000 households. Despite this experience, Wagner says she has not reevaluated her stay in Taiwan.
Melody Wagner
“I’ve reached out to the to the people that I am close to and most of them have expressed that they’re okay. We see, um, I think Hualien is one of the greatest locations that’s been impacted. I’ve reached out to the Belizeans that I know there and most of them are, well, the ones that replied to me that I interact with have said they’re fine and everything is okay, but they post on their stories saying, you know, they’re nearby where some of the buildings collapse and stuff like that.”
Hipolito Novelo
Has this experience made you reevaluate whether you want to continue living there?
Melody Wagner
“I think short answer, no, because I feel like anywhere in the world that you choose to live, there are natural disasters that you have to contend with. In Belize, we have hurricanes. Here is earthquake center Earthquakes and typhoons. And you just have to learn how to coexist with these natural elements. So, I don’t think it should be a deterrent for anybody and for me personally, no.”
On X, Prime Minister John Briceño shared “Our thoughts are with the government, people and our friends of Taiwan”. The Belizean embassy in Taiwan saying that it responded immediately by liaising with Belizean students located in different regions in Taiwan, as well as universities where Belizean students are studying, to confirm that students are safe. The embassy said that while some Belizeans are understandably shaken emotionally, there has been no report of material effects on Belizeans. Reporting for News Five, I am Hipolito Novelo.
