BDF - Greater Belize Media

BDF Bans Alcohol Following Crique Sarco Murder

Earlier this month, Belize Defence Force soldier, Private Clive Baizar was killed at the Crique Sarco Conservation Post in Toledo after an altercation with fellow soldier, thirty-year-old Alfredo Robinson Junior. Following the incident, which left soldier Brandon Guzman injured, Robinson was formally charged with murder. According to reports, after the two men engaged in a verbal argument, Robinson retrieved a rifle and fired it at Baizar, fatally wounding him. Some speculate that alcohol may have been involved in the incident, however, Robinson refused to provide a blood sample. This week, the force has moved to ban alcohol within the camps completely. B.D.F Commandant, Brigadier General Azariel Loria, told us that there are several factors that led to this decision.

Brigadier General Azariel Loria, Commandant, B.D.F

”At this point in time, we have not gotten the results of the blood tests. The results as yet. However, we deem that it is important for us to curtail on the alcohol habits of the force.It is not a dire situation as yet. However, we have to implement some measures. And it is not only because of that incident, perhaps that incident there was no alcohol consumption. But as a matter of fact, what we are doing we are doing it because there have been quite a few fatal traffic accidents that involved alcohol. And the latest one is the one down in the south where we lost one of our soldiers when he was riding back home with his motorcycle. So those are the specific reasons why We are curtailing on alcohol and we’re trying to make it a zero tolerance directive.”

Britney Gordon

“And it’s confirmed that, if the alcohol is discovered, it will be an immediate dismissal of the officer.”

Brigadier General Azariel Loria

“That is the direction that we have provided. Under the Defense Act, the commander of the Belize Defence Force can make regulations to ensure that the force function. steadily. That the force functions in a manner that we can secure ourselves, ensure our safety first and foremost.”

Lance Corporal Alfredo Robinson is Charged with Murder

Thirty-two-year-old Alfredo Robinson Junior, a Lance Corporal with the Belize Defense Force, has been charged with the murder of fellow soldier, Private Clive Baiza. The deadly shooting, which also injured another B.D.F. soldier, occurred at the Crique Sarco Outpost on Sunday night. The two men got into a heated argument, after which Robinson allegedly drew his rifle and fired multiple shots at Baiza, killing him instantly. Another B.D.F. soldier sustained non-life-threatening injuries and is currently hospitalized. B.D.F. Commandant, Brigadier General Azariel Loria said the accused is known to be quiet in nature and that after the incident, he appeared to be in shock.

Brigadier General Azariel Loria, Commandant, B.D.F

“The character or the behavior of, of Lance Corporal Robinson, from, from what I got to understand, uh, after talking to the, to the men on the ground and the, and the commanding officer out there is that he used to be, or he is reserved, uh, in nature. He is reserved, he often is secluded, he, he likes to seclude himself. And he is affectionately called Viejo, Viejo meaning old man because of the way he acts, his behavior. So um, we don’t know what it is, we don’t know at this point in time if he was consuming alcohol. Chances are that he was not because the other 13 elements that were there, they volunteered to provide their blood sample. Maybe he was shell shocked when he was asked to do so. We don’t know. And as a matter of fact, he was not talking until after lunch today, when all of a sudden he perhaps realized the magnitude of what has transpired and he started to worry about it.”

Reporter

“I believe he was also a part of that patrol in San Antonich, where, uh, you will recall a soldier’s weapon was stolen, not his, but he was, I believe, a part of that patrol.”

Brigadier General Azariel Loria

“Yes, yes, yes, Mr. Vasquez. That is true. Last year or a bit, or perhaps more than a year ago. I remember that incident. And I was the adjudicator of that, uh, of that, of the offenses committed where, um, the soldiers on that patrol, they admitted to, to drinking and even so that we could not withdraw samples at the time. They still admitted because there was evidence on the ground and the way they were behaving that they were essentially under the influence, all of them.”

Is Low Morale and Neglect Plaguing the B.D.F?

One of the big worries hanging over the B.D.F. is the talk of low morale among the soldiers. Brigadier General, the Commandant of the B.D.F., acknowledges that there’s definitely room for improvement, but assured that steps are being taken to address these issues. Loria mentioned to reporters that allowances for the soldiers are in the works, but he didn’t shy away from pointing out the clear neglect, especially when their structures are put to the test by hurricanes.

Brigadier General Azariel Loria, Commandant, B.D.F

“ The morale of the soldiers the pay, it is still not fully resolved. That is something that is still at the desk of the Public Services Commission. And the pay continues. I do not believe that it will be caught, but that is only my belief, and they continue to receive their salaries every single one of them. And there are some allowances that are in the pipeline as well. So I don’t know how that would be an issue whenever we have been hearing of even pay allowances for everyone. And then we have been neglected and the media is aware of that. When every hurricane comes, you all know what happens to our installations at Price Barracks. You see zinc all over the place, but we were trying to improve.”

A B.D.F Living Quarters without a Bathroom?

Earlier we heard from the B.D.F Commandant, Brigadier General Azariel Loria spoke of strides being made within the B.D.F to uplift the working conditions of the soldiers. But he also alluded to neglect, and when the media asked, we found out that the building where the fatal shooting occurred didn’t have necessities, such as an indoor bathroom.

Brigadier General Azariel Loria, Commandant, B.D.F

“It doesn’t have an inside restroom or a bathroom per se, so the soldiers have to go outside and access it. But yes, we have been – it was worse than that. It was abandoned police building that we have refurbished and we’re trying to refurbish it little by little. It was worse than that before and, and even worse that the soldiers used to live in a large tent before. So we have gone somewhere from under a tent to that refurbished building and we’ll continue to refurbish it. But slowly but surely, we’re going to get it done with the resources that we have available.”