Village Alcalde Murdered in Front of His Family

A man has been detained in connection with the brutal murder of 50-year-old Romano Cal, the village alcalde of Medina Bank in the Toledo District. The quiet community was rocked on Sunday by news that Cal had been viciously chopped to death. Shockingly, the main suspect is his own brother, Rafael Cal, who was captured this morning in Tambran Village after evading police for more than a day. News Five’s Britney Gordon visited Medina Bank to learn more.

 

Britney Gordon, Reporting

A family of ten is now grieving the loss of their father, and the village of Medina Bank is without its alcalde after the shocking murder of fifty-year-old Romano Cal. Around 7:30 p.m. on Sunday, Cal had just returned home from fueling his bus when he was ambushed in his yard. A machete-wielding attacker struck him fatally in the neck, leaving the community stunned.

 

Modesta Cal, Daughter of Deceased

“ I was shocked to see that happen because I was there, I saw it, and then I couldn’t know. I didn’t know what to do next because when seeing my dad in that situation, I don’t know what to do after that. But we just inform our family and then they come assist us as well.”

 

Adding to the tragedy, the prime suspect in Romano Cal’s murder is his own brother, Rafael Cal, deepening the heartbreak for both the family and the village.

 

ASP Stacy Smith, Staff Officer (File: May 26^th, 2025)

“As it relates to the murder in Medina Bank on Sunday, May twenty-fifth, 2025, at approximately eight ten p.m., acting upon information, police proceeded to a residence in that village where the motionless body of Romano Cal fifty years old was observed. The body exhibited apparent chop wound to the upper part of the body, The scene was processed and he was transported to. The Punta Gorda hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival. The matter is currently under the investigation and police are seeking Mr. Rafael Cal, who is a relative of Mr. Romano Cal.”

 

After being sought by police for over a day, he was captured in Tambran village. The family is devasted that such a cruel act would come from their own blood.

 

Modesta Cal

“I think it was just completely out of nowhere, miss, because no fight, nothing happened with time. Nothing.”

 

Britney Gordon

“So what do you think would lead to something like that happening, especially between family members.”

 

Modesta Cal

“I think it’s because of jealousy and hatred.”

 

Romano Cal dedicated years to serving his community, first as village chairperson for six years, then as alcalde, where he was re-elected for a third term after two years of committed leadership. In the wake of his tragic death, the Toledo Alcaldes Association expressed deep condolences to the Cal family and strongly condemned the violence. “This heinous crime impacts our entire Maya community,” the statement read, urging authorities to carry out a thorough investigation and reaffirming the community’s values of peace, unity, and hard work.

 

Modesta Cal

“The people choose to put my dad in that position and then my dad was always ready for this village. He’s always ready to help people in this village. So whenever, if they put my dad in that position, he was there for everyone because he’s a very kind person.”

 

Although Rafael Cal has been captured, many questions remain unanswered for the family, such as why such a cruel act would be committed upon their father.

 

Modesta Cal

“I want justice, miss, to be honest. I just want justice because my dad is not a sick person. Someone just end his life. We have to find peace and lessons.”

 

The family is now holding on to the memory of Romano and his legacy of humility and kindness he left behind. Britney Gordon for News Five.