MISSING STUDENT FOUND MURDERED Police Say Motive Was Robbery

THE REPORTER Sunday, March 31st, 2019 Page 1

Volume 52, No. 13 Sunday March 31st, 2019 Price: $1.00 MISSING STUDENT FOUND MURDERED Police Say Motive Was Robbery

RC School Protests Pg. 3 Management Neglect One Dead…One Critical Pg. 3 in Dangriga Shooting Thursday, March 28, 2019 s we go to press 48. The identity of the Athe Reporter has other victim is still unconfirmed with sources known at this time. The in Dangriga that a late shooting happened just evening shooting in that after 6:30 p.m. near the municipality has left one riverside. man dead and another One man reportedly injured. succumbed to multiple The Reporter has been gunshot injuries while able to confirm the iden- another individual was tity of the murder victim. rushed to the Southern Pg. 37 He is Carlos Noe Reyes, Regional Hospital in Morgue Malfunction Orchid Bay Investors Claim Causes Public Outrage Development is a SCAM Pg. 4

Pg. 37

By Marion Ali Thursday, March 28, 2019 bereaved family bled when their loved Hospital Morgue before Afrom Seine Bight one's remains reportedly they received it for burial, Village, Stann Creek, started to decompose at is in the process of filing a whose grief was dou- the Southern Regional complaint with the Minis Page 2 Sunday, March 31st, 2019 THE REPORTER

or decades Guatemala has been Fresisting the idea of going to the ICJ to test her territorial claim against Tribute to the Life of Belize. When she finally relented, she wanted to submit her claim under a protocol Activist Rita Anderson known as ex aequo et bono,which would allow her to introduce the question of Dear Editor: compensation for Britain’s alleged fail- was humbled by the opportunity to share ure to help build a dirt road to the sea. I a few words as we celebrate the life of Belize would have none of that be- Miss Rita Matura nee Anderson, who was like a family member to me. Sincere condolences cause aequo et bono would introduce to Mr. Clifford Anderson Sr., her husband an element of speculation into the claim of 19 years, her eleven children, her many based on a promise that had nothing to grandchildren and all her other relatives and do with Belizean sovereignty. friends. Miss Rita was born on September 30, Belize has always contended that the 1966 to her proud parents John and Althea claim is a legal issue and must be settled Matura. She was called home by the Savior in strict accordance with international on Sunday, March 17, 2019 after a brief ill- law. ness. We are all thankful that the Lord blessed Miss Rita with 52 years. She had 12 siblings. Under law (the Law of Treaties) Gua- In her time on Earth Miss Rita showed us temala acknowledged the borders of the how to care for one’s family; how to work “British Settlement and Possessions in hard for one’s own upkeep, how to serve the community and how to be thankful for life. A the Bay of Honduras” when she signed beautiful lady, Miss Rita had four beautiful the Treaty of 1859. daughters and seven handsome sons. As a lov- Guatemala repeated her acknowledge- ing wife and mother she always made sure ment in the Treaty ( Exchange of Notes) she was there for her family. Once she told me that she wouldn’t be able to attend a meet- of 1931, when her Commissioners ing beyond a certain time, because she had ways all her relatives and friends can show signed a map showing the boundary line. to go home to prepare food for her husband continued appreciation for her life is by following her example of showing love to one These acknowledgements were clear and other family members. As a parent who always wanted the best for her family, Miss another. and unequivocal. Nowhere in the 1859 Rita always encouraged her family members Miss Rita, although you have departed Treaty is there any mention of a quid pro to treat others with love and respect. this life, you will never be forgotten. Rest in quo, and it becomes clear that Article 7 Miss Rita Anderson was a lady who Peace until we meet again. The funeral service for Miss Rita An- which pledged British help, “to use her believed in making an honest living. In that regard she was a dedicated employee of the derson was held at Church of Christ on Elston best efforts” to build a dirt road to the Belize City Council for many years. When Kerr St. in Belize City on Saturday, March sea,” was a carefully worded promise of that employment came to an end, Miss Rita 23, 2019. She was laid to rest at the Lord assistance, not part of a land deal. created employment for herself by selling Ridge Cemetery. The family expresses their coconut water and other products near the gas sincere gratitude to all those who supported There is no doubt that Guatemala stations on Central American Blvd. them during their time of loss. wanted to get something out of the 1859 I first met Miss Rita about eight years Treaty over and above the stability that ago in the Port Loyola Division. She was a Sincerely yours, Gilroy Usher Sr. a treaty with Britain would provide. But community activist. As such Miss Rita was concerned about justice, equal opportuni- negotiating with the British was tough ties and betterment for everyone. With that going, and Guatemala eventually settled interest in her community Miss Rita became THE REPORTER for what she could get. one of our best committee members and cam- Phones: 501- 227-2503 / 227-1767 Article One of the 1859 Treaty says paigners. At the time of her passing, she was a member of the PUP Port Loyola Executive Fax 501-227- 8278 P.O. Box 707 it all: Committee. e-mail: [email protected] “The boundary between the Republic Miss Rita was also a member of the PUP’s [email protected] and the British Settlement and Posses- United Women’s Group (UWG). She was also instrumental in the formation and success of website: http://www.reporter.bz sions in the Bay of Honduras, as they the PUP Port Loyola Women’s Group. When- existed previous to and on the 1st day of ever we had any community event, we could Publisher Harry Lawrence January 1859 and have continued to ex- count on 200% support from Miss Rita. For Editor Mike Rudon Jr. ist to the present, was and is, as follows: any of such activity her favorite words were “Boss please remember to pick me up by the Assistant Editor Marion V. Ali Beginning at the mouth of the River gas station on Blvd. when you all are ready.” Financial Controller Rosa Maria Lawrence Sarstoon in the Bay of Honduras and Miss Rita’s favorite music was souls. proceeding up the mid-stream thereof Her favorite song was Thank You Mama by General Manager Lisbeth Ayuso to Gracias a Dios Falls, then turning to Sizzla. Two of the lessons her family learnt from her are 1) “Learn to be independent” and Lithographer Rodolfo Castro the right and continuing by a line drawn 2) “Do unto others as you would like them Journalists Michelle Sutherland direct from Gracias a Dios to Garbutt’s to do unto you.” Video Producer Alexis Milan Falls on the Belize River and continuing In closing, I can say that Miss Rita was thankful to the Lord for every day of her Desktop Publisher/ from Garbutt’s Falls due north until it life. Few persons knew she was ill because Graphic Designer Jackie Fuller strikes the Mexican border. she was not a complaining person. She had Article One quoted above is a clear faith and trust that the Lord knew what was Accounts/ Advertising Rodolfo Castro and incontrovertible recognition of a best for her. Chief Printer Leroy Bood Miss Rita cannot speak with us any- Office Assistant Misael Muñoz pre-existing border and a pre-existing more, but by her life she showed us how to sovereignty. love each other and work together to make The evidence could not be clearer! our dreams come through. One of the best THE REPORTER Sunday, March 31st, 2019 Page 3 MISSING STUDENT FOUND MURDERED Police Say Motive Was Robbery Thursday, March 28, 2019 nightclub socializing with a group of male individu- around midnight at a bar in Belmopan in the company als he had just met. of three men who are now being treated as suspects. By Michelle Sutherland Earlier this week Frutos' brother David told the Early on Wednesday morning, the family told the ultiple suspects are currently in custody at the Reporter that over the weekend the family had gotten Reporter they were at the bar reviewing the surveil- MBelmopan Police station and are expected concerned after Frutos failed to return to his home lance footage when they got a feeling that Frutos to be charged shortly in connection with the grue- in Bullet Tree Village. The brother said that when was no longer alive and so they set out to recover some murder of University of Belize student Kevin he started to ask around, he learned that after work his body instead. Frutos, 26. on Friday Frutos was out socializing with a group of Frutos’ murder is the third of a University of Belize The accounting student was last seen alive on friends who allegedly dropped him off at the bus ter- student in less than two months. On February 7th Friday, March 22nd, socializing in the company of minal in Belmopan around 9:30 p.m. Frutos' friends Masaki Yanai was brazenly executed at his home in a group of men at a nightclub in Belmopan. Since told the family that the deceased had told them that he Belize City during a robbery in which his father was then Frutos was not seen nor heard from again and was going to catch the bus and head straight home, also shot. Two days later on February 9th Dwayne family members and authorities launched multiple which he apparently never did. Cummings was gunned down in Orange Walk while search parties to find him after making an official Following up on other leads, the family later walking home from a basketball game. Both murders report to Police on Tuesday. learned that Frutos was spotted that same Friday remain unsolved. On Wednesday, March 27th, the search concluded with the discovery of Frutos' decomposed body in a shallow grave along the George Price Boulevard in Belmopan. Authorities who discovered the remains of the RC School Protests missing student reported that they were acting on a tip received and upon proceeding to the location just off the main road, they uncovered a shallow grave hidden among some bushes. Inside they discovered Management Neglect the body of a Hispanic male person with what ap- Thursday, March 28, 2019 peared to be a large cut wound to his throat. consisting of six lower stated that the Plight at Police sources say that Frutos' killers transported By Michelle Sutherland show their discontent division classes, was Holy Angels School is deemed unsafe and unfit not only the responsibil- him to the location where they butchered him and or months teach- with the lack of assis- for occupation and so ity of the Catholic Man- allegedly made attempts to burn his corpse before set- ers, staff, students, tance that they have got- F the students had to be agement. tling on burying him instead. According to Police, the and parents of Holy An- ten so far. relocated to share other "You will say that is men helped themselves to Frutos' belongings before gels Primary School in At the demonstration, classroom buildings as a your responsibility – leaving the scene. While family members told the Re- Pomona Village have the parents announced temporary solution. but no, that is not my porter that Frutos had just cashed his paycheck prior been complaining about that they would be keep- Since then, teachers responsibility. We have to his disappearance, authorities could not confirm deplorable classroom ing their children at and students have been people who work there. whether any of his money was stolen or whether he conditions, and have home for an entire week battling to cope with We have a principal, had any on him when he went missing. been seeking the assis- as a show of protest until overcrowded classroom vice-principal and a staff They did confirm, however, that items belonging tance of the Catholic something could be done settings, poor ventilation of teachers. So, I think to the deceased were recovered from someone who School's management, to improve the unhealthy and trouble delivering they need to check. What claimed to have bought them from one of the sus- with no success. and unsafe conditions or receiving their les- we have to do is be a pects. Those items, according to Police, have been But on Monday, that their children have sons. The school, on the little bit more careful in taken in as evidence. March 25th, deciding to endure at the school. other hand, was tasked these situations," Garcia On Thursday, ACP Joseph Myvett of the Na- that words were too One concerned parent, to come up with over told News Five. tional Crimes Investigation Branch revealed that cheap and that actions Andrea Funez, who took seventy thousand dollars In an update today, "Police have several persons in their custody and might have a greater im- part in the demonstration to cover the cost of reno- school's principal Sa- the evidence gathered so far has been submitted to pact on those in author- told the Reporter that last vating the building as die Acevedo told the the DPP. We are awaiting her directives but we are ity, over forty parents, year her child fell ill for well as another wooden Reporter that they will of the opinion that charges are likely to be brought accompanied by their two months due to the air structure which had huge no longer wait on the against several of those persons." children and backed up that she was breathing at holes in the flooring. Catholic management While Myvett would not divulge details of what by the teachers, staged the school. Funez said With that estimate in to step in and assist them they suspect happened prior to the cold-blooded a small demonstration that apart from valuing hand, the school report- but have already secured murder, he noted that the deceased was seen at a in front of the school to her daughter's health, she also values her edu- edly approached the Lo- assistance from Westrac cation but there seems cal Manager for Catholic which has pledged to to be a lack of a solution Schools, Rodolfo Garcia, renovate the cement to fix both - "as a parent, who furnished them with building and its roof be- I am very concerned $2,000 of the $70,000 fore the ending of June. about the conditions that needed. That meager do- Apart from renovating my child has to endure at nation has raised the ire the flooring of the sec- school. The environment of parents who believe ond building, the school is not healthy. It is not that the Catholic man- has also been tasked to safe. Every night I would agement could do much secure another structure tell my husband that I am better to assist the school due to the overcrowding really afraid that that rot- which falls directly un- in the lower division, ten building would drop der their management. though it is not certain and fall on those kids This week the Report- where that funding will and kill them, because er reached out to Garcia come from. trust me it is so bad. To for a comment on the The school's principal have the Health Inspec- situation but he refused is pleading for assis- tor come and close down to give an on the phone tance from any business the building, it had to be interview. He also denied or residents who might really bad." giving the school $2,000 want to assist in any way, School Principal Sa- but instead claims it was whether it be finance, die Acevedo explained $3,000. construction materials or that in February, Health He did give an inter- labor. Anyone interested officials visited the view to our colleagues in assisting can contact school and closed down at News Five this week, Principal Acevedo at one of the buildings due though, in which he ar- cell number 635-6561 to the infestation of rats, gued that he was only or can deposit monetary roaches, and termites. made aware of the de- contributions into Holy The building which plorable conditions at Angels Primary School housed one hundred the school two months Heritage Bank account and sixteen students, ago. Garcia additionally 2241006. Page 4 Sunday, March 31st, 2019 THE REPORTER Orchid Bay Investors Claim Development is a SCAM Thursday, March 28, 2019 be varying complaints from time to time. He also did throughout our eleven years of development, we have note that “a portion of all purchaser monies are spent been successful in overcoming those challenges and he Reporter was contacted this week by disgrun- on infrastructure,” in instances when roads, electricity will continue to do so.” Ttled investors who claim they were scammed and other utilities are not yet in the area. Williams also The Reporter has also seen a number of corre- out of money by a company marketing a real estate said Legacy Global Development was not concerned spondences between the disgruntled buyers and the development in northern Belize. The unhappy inves- over the claims against them. developers and has been informed that there are other tors believe the development is another Sanctuary Bay “We are continuing to develop and build a premier purchasers who also wish to come forward and share case of fraud, however, the developers have assured resort destination in northern Belize. As you know this their own experiences with Orchid Bay. We will con- the Reporter that all its business is in order and has does not happen overnight,” Williams said, adding tinue to follow this story and have more details in next no knowledge of the complaints against the company. that “…while Orchid Bay has faced certain challenges week’s edition. The unhappy investors claim they paid almost US$200,000 to construct a home in the Orchid Bay development, located in Corozal. Instead of the sea- front villa they believed they had paid for, however, three years have passed and the desperate investors say Did Sanctuary Bay Scandal they are no closer to owning the home of their dreams. Frustrated and suspicious of the operation, the investors say they demanded a refund of their money only to Kill Atlantic International? be told that the money had gone toward infrastructure. Thursday, March 28, 2019 duties and responsibilities. The Central Bank also noted They also claim that after checking with authori- that it has not undertaken any action to disrupt the opera- ties in Belize, they have learned that the taxes on eports emerged this week that Atlantic Interna- tions of Atlantic International. “Any such inference in the lots have not been paid and there are no records Rtional Bank, one of only a handful of offshore the public domain is simply untrue,” the statement said. of the properties with the Lands Department. They financial institutions registered in Belize, is facing a The Central Bank also said the matter continues to further claimed that some people who have received closure of its operations which could possibly be related receive its attention and said the public can be assured their homes, have not gotten any title. A group of to the fallout from the Sanctuary Bay real estate scandal, that it is assessing the situation closely and in a manner disgruntled investors experiencing similar troubles in which the bank was named as part of the investiga- consistent with its mandate. with Orchid Bay have since opted to file a claim tion by the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC). Financial Secretary Joseph Waight also told the with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), in the Atlantic International has yet to issue an official Reporter that if indeed true, the closure could have United States, which incidentally is investigating the statement on the matter, however reports have indicated negative implications for Belize’s offshore sector. The Sanctuary Bay real estate scam, which was uncovered that some employees of the bank have received letters closure of Atlantic International, if true, follows the in Belize and resulted in a civil case in the US. The informing them of the bank’s imminent closure and ar- closure of Choice Bank, another offshore bank which investors have also brought the matter to the attention ranging transfers. Unconfirmed reports are that a large shut down under controversial circumstances, now the of Belizean authorities including the GST Department. number of the bank’s depositors have withdrawn their subject of an ongoing court battle. According to Waight, The Reporter reached out to the developers of Or- funds, which may have added to the pressure already there were only about four main offshore financial in- chid Bay for a response to the claims made against facing the institution in light of the Sanctuary Bay stitutions, and with the loss of two, internationally the them and Chief Executive Officer of Legacy Global investigation. sector now seems unstable and could affect investor Development, the company which manages the proj- In a statement from the Central Bank of Belize, the confidence. ect, Chris Williams told us the allegations were nothing financial regulator says it has received certain informa- Sanctuary Bay is a company accused of defrauding more than false information. Williams said Legacy tion regarding the Atlantic International situation and US investors out of over $100 million. A number of Development was not aware of the specific claim from has initiated remedial actions to protect the interests of persons and companies have been named in the case this particular individual but conceded there would depositors and customers consistent with its statutory including several companies registered in Belize. THE REPORTER Sunday, March 31st, 2019 Page 5 Villagers Plead for GOB’s Attention Thursday, March 28, 2019 cries. "We remain hope- By Marion Ali lores, which is some ful that our hardship he residents 6-7 miles away, it resonates in their es- Tof the tiny vil- normally takes the teemed office and that lage of Machakil villagers about two their government acts Ha, located near the hours to navigate with some urgency Sarstoon River in the through the jungle on to make use of this Toledo District are foot in the dry season. dry season to build a appealing to the Gov- Villagers would then road for our Belizean ernment of the day to have to charter a ride people of Machakil give equal consider- to the nearest health Ha," Putul ends off, ation to their human clinic, which is some appealing to the con- rights, despite their 18 miles away, or to science of the Gov- size and remoteness. the PG Town Hos- ernment. The call comes pital, which is about Machakil Ha Vil- after two incidents 70 miles away and lage comprises of involving the lives another two hours by some 22 families vehicle. Villagers of Machakil Ha carrying mother and newborn after child was (about 100 villagers of two of their chil- born on the trail dren recently - one On Monday of this total). It was estab- where the road condi- week when Gertrudis "Not too long [after] tion (or the lack of a Hul began to experi- we heard the baby road system) caused ence labour pains, cry," primary school a newborn to be born her husband, Ricardo teacher and fellow out in the open while Xol asked the Alcalde villager, Arnaldo Pu- the mother was being of Machakil Ha to tul shared with the taken by hand to the call fellow villag- Reporter this week. next nearest village to ers to help carry her The occurrence be shuttled to the PG (by hand) to Dolores does not always end Hospital; while the on a makeshift ham- up like this, Putul other child, a toddler, mock that they had explained because, died while also being weaved. During that "most mothers would carted out on foot to trek, however, Ms. go to town to stay at seek medical atten- Hul gave birth to a the (PG) hospital" tion. Because there baby girl on the ham- upon the nurse's ad- is only a logging trail mock in some bushes vice a week or two leading from Mach- with her husband and before their delivery akil Ha to the next the village's health date. In this case, nearest village, Do- worker at her side. however, the baby

Map showing the Old Machakil Ha and the only existing one further south came some days ear- morning halfway be- lished in 1983 when lier than this weekend tween Machakil Ha the children of villag- when her parents had and Dolores. ers of the Old Mach- planned on checking Putul said that he akil Ha left that area, in to the hospital for and Gertrudis, along permanently aban- her birth. Mothers with village leaders doning the old vil- who simply cannot have been writing pe- lage. Machakil Ha spend a week in the titions, pleading to the has a Roman Catho- PG Hospital in antici- political leaders for a lic Primary School, pation of the arrival road that would con- which the children of their newborn, nect Machakil Ha to must also trek to on however, sometimes Dolores. He said that foot, starting from lose their babies, we the PUP had started 5:00 am in the rainy learned. to open a road, which season, either bare- Gertrudis and Ri- the UDP has cleared foot or with rubber cardo are thankful out when they got into boots on their feet that the labour was power, but no further and wearing plastic not accompanied by work to make the road bags adjusted over any complications, a permanent, upgrad- their bodies to serve and that their little ed structure has hap- as raincoats, in order girl is doing well. pened. He has made to reach classes on Mother and child re- an open appeal to the time. main hospitalized for Government: "Our The village has no observation. Another logging trail going electricity, no cable, family is grieving af- to Dolores will give and no internet con- ter their child did not us the least chance to nection and the vil- make it to the hospital survive during emer- lagers' only access to in time. This was not gencies. We need sup- the internet is from a case of a woman port and we call on the Guatemala because of in labour. The Xol attention of our pres- their close proximity family lost their 19 ent political leaders to the southern bor- month-old baby boy, to build Machakil Ha der. They get potable Abil Xol, while he a rocked road," Pu- water via two small was being carried by tul implored, adding pumps which don't hand out of the village that the Government's provide sufficient for medical attention press conferences and water during the dry last week Tuesday. budget debates only season. The villagers The baby reportedly leave them with sink- rely on small streams drew his last breath ing hearts, when there as their other sources around eight that is no response to their of water supply. Page 6 Sunday, March 31st, 2019 THE REPORTER Teachers Instructed to Stay Home Thursday, March 28, 2019 September. In three of the cess, the four vacancies with hiring teachers) fills to teach the lesson. She that exist now at the the four vacant posts. But By Marion Ali tion can be filed with the cases, Cajun explained, said those who refused Ministry of Education the teachers will not have school must be posted until they are hired, their to substitute were only he future of four and other relevant bod- any broken service on for one week by law, salaries will only be paid given a verbal warning. Tteachers, whose ies. This information is their records, since they after which the school up to Wednesday when She also assured parents employment with Bishop not currently available have just recently started board will invite the they were instructed to that the school is running Martin High School in for those four teachers, to teach at the school. four teachers for the leave. normal. Orange Walk Town has Cajun explained, because But these four teachers interviewing process In addition to the in- The school will make been termed as "illegal,” somewhere along their are out of an original group by a hiring panel for structions to the teachers up for the lost time the remains in limbo with the employment stages, the of seven whose records their jobs. Thereafter, to stay away, the names same way it did when all latest development this information was never were nowhere on the sys- the Board will forward of other teachers who the teachers went on a week coming in the form recorded. refused to substitute for sit-out last month. "We of written instructions The board member the ones who are away are not going to be us- for them to stay away informed that the teach- were asked to sign their ing any holidays from from classes until further ers were asked to vacate names on a paper - a the Easter vacation to instructed. the classrooms until due move which they take as make up for those days. The letter on Wednes- process is followed. "We an attempt to intimidate We have other events day from the school are following the process them for their refusal to that we normally hold at board's Chairman, Ian which the school should substitute. the school, so we're not Cal, informed the four have followed from the Those teachers had having those events this teachers, Avid Briceño, onset," Cajun explained raised concerns that their year and we're going to Manuel Tzul, Emil Quet- to us, pointing out that tem. Cajun said the board the information from area of specialty differ be making up for those zal and Carmen Trejo, this board which discov- has already placed three the interviews, request- from those ones who days that were lost," she that they “will not be ered the "illegal" employ- of them on the system and ing that the teachers they are placed to substi- continued. allowed to be present at ments only came into are now only dealing with be hired. The teachers tute for, for example as How the error oc- the school premises with existence last November. the remaining four. She stand very high chances one explained, a teacher curred in the first place is immediate effect," and The Ministry, on said that the board had of getting back their with a degree in history also under investigation, that they should also not Wednesday of this week, issued letters to the teach- jobs, Cajun said because can never substitute for a Cajun told us because up take part in any activities gave approval for the hir- ers, explaining the process the board considers the teacher who was teach- to now, the new board pertaining to the school. ing of four teachers at the that needs to be taken and four teachers to pos- ing physics or biology. does not know what the Suzannie Cajun, who school. The Ministry's how their matter will be sess very good teaching But Cajun, who was previous board did or is a member of the school approval also covered the sorted out. The ones who skills and would not also a teacher at the didn't do or how much board told the Reporter teachers' benefits, which will have broken service want to lose them. The school, told us that what they knew of the situa- today that the teachers they had lost by their "il- because of the error, she board, she indicated, happens at that school tion. "We need to find have to go through the legal" status for whatever explained, will be con- can recommend that when teachers don't show out who is to be blamed process of interviewing, period of time they were sidered by the board for the teachers be properly up is that another teacher and whosoever is to be and proper documenta- teaching without any compensation for their lost hired when the Teaching would hold over the class blamed will need to face tion so that their particu- records, will also retroac- benefits, she added. Services Commission and conduct a study hall repercussions," Cajun lars and other informa- tive to last school year in By following due pro- (the body that is tasked but they are not expected said. THE REPORTER Sunday, March 31st, 2019 Page 7 Civilians Take Away Cop’s Gun After Beatdown Tuesday, March 26, 2019 particular time. Did he gle of how Martinez feel like his life was was in possession of his By Michelle Sutherland repeatedly beaten to in danger? If you are Police-issued firearm uckily on the his head by an indi- attacked and you have even though he was off- following day vidual. One gunshot L a gun on you…more duty. "We have a policy a concerned resident could be heard in the than likely your attack- that deals with officers turned in the stolen distance just before the ers would disarm you who take firearms home firearm. footage went off. and that surely would after working hours; Police have detained Other footage cap- put your life in danger. firearms that belong to and charged one of tured as responding And so it could be that the department. So we the three men they be- officers flocked to the he took out the firearm will have to review that lieve to be responsible scene and transported with a view to ward policy to see whether or for assaulting off-duty Martinez to the hospi- them off, but instead of not there was a breach cop Mark Martinez tal with injuries to his warding off, they con- of that policy where the on Saturday night. On head. tinued to charge at him officer is concerned. Monday Ladyville res- Spectators who wit- and he was eventually And if there was a ident Ashley Haylock, nessed the entire in- knocked out and his breach then he will be 27, was arraigned on cident claim that af- firearm taken.” dealt with for that in- charges of theft of a ter honking his horn, Also included in that ternally,” Williams told 9mm pistol as well as Martinez allegedly at- Martinez being taken to KHMH after assault investigation is the an- the media. common assault. The tempted to face off suspect pled not guilty with the individuals to the charges and he before firing off several was denied bail and warning shots. remanded into custody Commissioner of Teen Run Over and until May 13th 2019. Police Chester Wil- Just after 2:20 a.m. liams told the media on March 23rd, the that the Department entertainment strip has launched an inves- Villagers Attack Driver on Princess Margaret tigation into the mat- Drive was more active ter - “There are sev- Tuesday, March 26, 2019 than usual, as an off eral things that I would By Marion Ali house and was mak- duty Police Officer, in have to look at in terms ing his way back to the presence of specta- of whether or not the teenager who Maya King Farms tors, was beat up and persons with whom he A worked as a where he stayed to his Police-issued fire- had the issue knew that farmhand to sustain work. arm was taken away he was Police at that his elderly parents The loud bang from him. particular time. What was knocked down prompted the villag- Reports indicate that led to the situation and killed just be- ers to go check what prior to the assault, based on what you said fore 9:00 on Satur- had happened and Police Constable Mark just now that he was day night near his there on the roadside Martinez was driving in a road rage…I think home at Mile 20 they saw Marquez' his private vehicle near I was told that he was in Santa Cruz Vil- mangled bicycle and BTL Park when he driving, some vehicle lage on the South- his body some 20 honked his horn at a ve- stopped in front of him ern Highway; and feet away on the side hicle which was block- and he blew his horn villagers reportedly as well. The villag- ing his path. Three men and the persons from attacked the driver ers claim that the reportedly exited that the vehicle came out who knocked him Honda pickup which vehicle, walked up to and they were charg- down. it him was still re- Martinez and punched ing at him. He took The teen, Jose portedly heading him through the driv- out his gun and fired Marquez, 16, who slowly down the road Jose Marquez, deceased er's side window of his two warning shots. Is reportedly worked with a damaged right vehicle. it reasonable for him to at Maya King Farms, front tire and inside member claims that and assaulted him Amateur footage of have done so? I could was knocked off a was William Burke, it was not until the and he proceeded the incident captured say yes and I could bicycle from behind 47, who they accuse deceased's sister ran to the nearby Police as Martinez, still seated say no. It depends on just moments after of trying to leave down the car up the Station, before go- in his driver's seat, was how he feels at that he left his parents' the scene. A family highway and stood ing back with offi- in front of it that cers to the scene. Burke stopped. Burke said he was But Burke's ver- driving towards sion differs from the Punta Gorda Town villagers' account. when he knocked Burke told Police down the teen from that he stopped to behind. He has been render aid to the vic- served with a Notice tim, but the villagers of Intended Prosecu- became aggressive tion (NIP). Page 8 Sunday, March 31st, 2019 THE REPORTER Is Road Infrastructure “Pro Poor?” By: Senator Valerie Woods contracts and when there huge difference, there is poor quality of con- was no answer. When the past 10 years. struction and regular re- Ministry of Finance was Transparency Interna- pair work of the roads. contacted, the response tional has long indicated Because of these and given was that it must that road and infrastruc- many other issues of mis- have been an error in ture construction pro- management under the the video message. This vides a fertile environ- government, Belizeans would be a significant ment for corruption in have cause to pause for error for this Prime Min- government. This only the concern. ister. gets worse in a country The gross levels of un- What has not been re- such as Belize that lacks accountable costs result vealed, not just for the the basic mechanism of in the people of Belize Caracol Road project but checks and balances. paying for it and paying also for all major road Signing of contract for Caracol Road ver the past couple Belizeans have been much more due to the ev- projects in Belize, is in- Oof weeks, there waiting for the Attor- er-deepening hole of land formation about the land the answers from govern- pressing needs such as has been much chatter ney General’s report on acquisition costs. It can- acquisition costs that the ment for this, it is not the our health care facilities, about multi-million dol- the various Vega land not be in the name of the Government will have politicians that will suffer. our bus transportation, lar loans for various road scandals, to no avail. The poor when it becomes the to finance outside of the They will continue mer- our environment, proper infrastructure projects. tendering process for the problem for the poor and loan monies received for rily. But the cost of living housing, our educational This has been the subject selection of contractors is for future governments these various road proj- for ordinary, everyday system, roads for our of much criticism and not open or transparent. and by extension future ects. What is still in ques- Belizeans for years to children to walk safely concern. There is no adherence generations of Belize tion is information about come will continue to to and from school in The issue is a burning to the Financial Reform with the burden of pay- the actual lands that will rise. It is the poor and our villages, or safety one because Belizeans and Audit Act. There ments. Increased taxation be acquired, and what middle class workers and security? A corrupt witness, on a regular ba- has been no functional and cost of living to meet prices the Government who will suffer the great- government and broken sis, persons and compa- Contractor General for these payments are borne will have to pay for these est in trying to make ends system thrive when the nies literally overnight years and when one did on the backs of the poor lands. When hundreds of meet while their qual- people of a nation stand being established as con- exist there was no an- and the middle class. millions of loan monies ity of life deteriorates. by and allow it to happen. tractors awarded with nual report for years of the The Caracol Road is are involved (in addition It is getting the answers A healthy democracy huge multi-million dol- various major contracts the largest loan for road to these unknown costs) to these questions that is not a spectator sport. lar projects. The issue that were undertaken. rehabilitation in recent the debt to the Belizean should inform the public Your voice is needed and is further compounded There has been no con- years. Supervision alone public and the burden on and apply pressure to we individually need to because the government vening of the Public Ac- for this project is listed at the poor is even greater leaders to determine if start taking a stand. The has a history of a lack counts Committee (PAC), a whopping $11million than we know. We must any particular road proj- political system will not of transparency and ac- which remains closed to as outlined in the feasi- ask, we must investigate ect is a priority at this change if we each don’t countability in spending the public. The Auditor bility report. Although and we must keep asking time. We must keep ask- take that bold step to the people’s monies with General’s reports are lag- it is not quite clear what until we get answers. ing - is it more of a prior- demand it and to demand roads breaking up after ging behind for years and this will entail and for If we do not demand ity NOW than our other better of our leaders. millions were thrown the few reports that have how long, neither is the into them. The $8mil- been forthcoming have true cost of the project lion Faber’s Road and been in limbo since the known. In a December the Lake Independence PAC has not met. There 28th 2018 video message Boulevard, which has is no functional Integrity from the Prime Min- reportedly cost Belizeans Commission and there is ister, he stated a total over $5million and is no real progress on the cost of USD$90million still undergoing repairs, implementation of the (BZ$180 million) for have been the hallmark United Nations Conven- approximately 50 miles of shoddy, questionable tion Against Corruption of the Caracol road. This road contracts that stand (UNCAC). is not a new road. How- out. However, there have Other red flags to be ever, the feasibility study been many more scandal- monitored are when it report details a cost of ous road and other infra- is the same one or two BZ$135million. When structure projects in every contractors who are of- asked in the Senate meet- district of Belize over the ten awarded the major ing of last week about this Motorcycle Fatalities Prompt Safety Campaign By Marion Ali Tuesday, March 26, 2019 he weekend's sioner of Police Ches- of Operations, Deputy Tfatalities inter Williams said: Commissioner of Po- volving motorcycles "We have become lice Edward Broaster have prompted the concerned over the to formulate the pam- Belize Police Depart- fact that motorcycle phlet and carry out the ment to mobilize and riders have become nationwide campaign. take to the nation's somewhat reckless in Motorcycles are highways and major the handling of these thought to be 38 times arteries with a driver/ motorcycles on these more dangerous than rider safety campaign. highways," highlight- driving a car because It will take the form ing bad practices that if you hit an immov- of Police Officers dis- some motorcyclists able object or some- tributing education engage in, such as one hits you, you’re pamphlets, particu- loading on three or the one that’s going larly motorcycle driv- sometimes even four to get hurt or even ers and riders as well persons, including die. People take the as conducting media children, driving along risk and drive them, sensitization cam- pedestrian crossings, however, because they paigns on the various driving contrary to are significantly more media talk shows and traffic flow. efficient on fuel con- programs. The Department will sumption and easier In introducing the formulate a team to be to maneuvre in traffic campaign, Commis- led by the Commander congestion. THE REPORTER Sunday, March 31st, 2019 Page 9 Beautifully Belizean Challenged By Disability; Never Giving Up By Marion Ali stall, and with a little help, puts out the fruits "When something and veggies for sale. bad happens, you have When she is unable to three choices: You can lift or transfer items, either let it define you, she either asks for the let it destroy you, or help or has to pay to get you can let it strength- it done, which also digs en you." - Disabled into an already small World profit margin. Irene Enriquez Swa- To try to diversify, zo is going to be 70 in Ms. Irene makes and December. Since the sells herbal medicines! early 1990s, she has She said she learned had to adjust to living from her mom what with only one leg fol- herbs are good as laxa- lowing a surgery, but tives, and to build the that has not deterred blood or for a particu- her from earning her lar ailment. And if keep as a vegetable you enjoy a healthy and fruit vendor at the seaweed shake, well market areas. you can brew your own Known as Ms. Irene, seaweed beverage in Ms. Swazo, or just any flavour at much plain "The one-foot front stalls, which she lady,” this Belize City opened up onto the elder woman was born street side to make it and raised in Maskall easier for buyers to Village along with nine purchase straight from other siblings. As a the street. Business child, she got to learn back then was good, about fruits and veg- she recalled when she etables from her father spoke to us this week. who was a farmer and Her fruits and veg- who sold fruits and etables regularly sold vegetables to sustain out in a timely fashion, the family. While she the location was good herself never farmed, and the rent was af- she too got into the fordable. She didn't trade of selling the pro- want to leave the Com- duce when she moved mercial Centre, she away from home, but admitted to us, because the business changed it was the ideal spot to buying in bulk to in downtown Belize retail. City where everyone When the Belize looked for her to get City Commercial Cen- their daily supply. tre was in its heyday Cooks frequented her stall, as did the work- in the 90s and up until dren who preferred a Market (Queen Square mercial Centre. She cheaper prices than ing man and woman on it was closed in 2017 banana or an orange Market) some three said she was literally you would pay for it their way to work who for urgent repairs, Ms. over meat pies at recess. years ago when she the last vendor to va- ready-made because needed fruit as a snack. Irene was an every- Ms. Irene relocated to could no longer oper- cate the location out of Ms. Irene also sells raw So too did school chil- day sight at one of the the Michael Finnegan ate out of the Com- reluctance to relocate. seaweed. She managed to get She also extends a a front stall again at courtesy that most ven- the new location, but dors will admit they because almost all of don't do - she puts aside the stalls there sell the any of her items until same products, coupled a customer is able to with the fact that some pick them up later in of the other vendors the day. All it takes is also plant their own a quick call to her cell products, having to buy number: 630 9219 and and sell places her at a your fruits, veggies, disadvantage, she told and ground foods are us. Many times she has just a visit away to the to throw away fruits market. And like most that don't sell. She also other vendors offer, feels that the grill gate Ms. Irene also has a and its placement cre- variety of ground food ates a hindrance for and veggies packaged potential buyers from off in affordable $1 seeing or reaching her bags for easy and con- easily. venient shopping. Her But the struggle con- stall is off the street tinues for this elder side and bears the woman, now a widow name "Jay's Fashions" with three grown chil- from a previous busi- dren. She still gets up ness that once occupied every day and makes that stall. Stop by and her way, physical chal- patronize her. She will lenges and all, to her be looking out for you. Page 10 Sunday, March 31st, 2019 THE REPORTER Arson Leaves Family Homeless

Arson in the Jane Usher area destroys three bedroom family house.

Wednesday, March 27, 2019 As to the person who every day to get up the family is staying Persons wishing lit the fire, the young and explain to her with family mem- to assist the family By Michelle Sutherland tion which was later mother says that she children why they bers and is asking can contact Logan at confirmed by fire would like them to will not be able to the public to support 6633699, 6633719 or family of six officials. know that they de- sleep in their com- them in whatever now homeless can visit the family A "Yesterday we vis- stroyed the place her fortable beds any way they can in such yard on JR Street in following a fire at ited the fire station kids called home, and more. a desperate time of their home in the Jane the Jane Usher Bou- to get our report and how hard she finds it In the interim, need. levard area. Usher Boulevard area they did not know of Belize City strong- how to tell us that ly believes that they someone set our are the victims of house on fire. They arson and are baffled told us they did all as to who would go their routine checks. to such an extreme They checked the to destroy everything electrical wires to see they owned. if the kids tampered The fire which with it, but they were started sometime at school so that was after 1:30 p.m. on out of the question. March 25th, inside They checked the a three bedroom stove, but no cooking home belonging to happened because Shakera Logan, 27, the stove was turned completely destroyed off. Their next solu- the structure, leaving tion was arson. Ei- four children ages 4, ther somebody put 5, 6 and 8, along with something into the their parents fighting house or lit it on fire to get back on their from underneath. The feet. fire started from the The homeowner living room area and told the Reporter that spread from there," at the time the fire Logan told the news- started the house was paper. empty, her kids were But Logan's biggest at school and she and question right now her common-law hus- is why - "We don't band were both at know why somebody work. She explained would try and do that that just after midday to us because we are she got a call from friendly people and someone urging her in our neighborhood, to go home and check we look out for each on her house. Logan other. We treat each said that by the time other like family, so she got to the scene this is really puzzling she saw smoke and to us, we really, re- fire coming out of ally don't know why. her yard and when We don't even know she got close enough who would do such a she realized that her thing." house was on fire. By Logan said that the then, she said, there neighbors did not was nothing that she report any type of could do but to stand suspicious activity there and watch it prior to the fire. She burn. says that while she Taking into con- has recorded a loss sideration the fact she would like to that no one was at commend the fire home when the fire department's excep- started, Logan at first tional work which glance suspected that prevented two other the fire was caused homes from being by arson, an assump- burnt. THE REPORTER Sunday, March 31st, 2019 Page 11 Woman Dies, Boyfriend Critical After Cycle Crash Wednesday, March 27, 2019 By Marion Ali he family of Wal- Tter Loyo, 28, is appealing to everyone to lift him up in prayer as he clings to life in what the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital (KHMH) has described as "very critical" condition. Since Loyo came out of surgery Sunday night, he has been in the hospital's Intensive Care Unit (ICU) with a very serious head in- jury and a badly broken Walter Loyo and Zinnia Ayala Cycle crushed by the impact leg. In addition, we are pillion seat sometime heading West and were the bike and Ayala died told that his kidneys are before 6:00 pm, on passing by a round- at the scene. not functioning. Sunday on the George about under construc- Residents in the area Father of One Killed in Loyo was driving Price Highway near tion when they crashed have reported that only a Meilun motorcycle the Mile 8 community. into a concrete barrier. Loyo was wearing a with his girlfriend, Zin- They were reportedly The two were flung off helmet and that he ap- Motorcycle Accident nia Ayala, 20, on the peared to be speeding. Tuesday, March 26, 2019

Vladimir Aguilar, knocked off motorcycle By Marion Ali driver of the pickup truck, Brian Au- ladimir gust of Belmopan, VAguilar, 28, he was heading to- a father of a young wards the Burrell son, was one of the Boom junction and six traffic accident was in the process of victims who lost overtaking another their lives over the vehicle when he re- weekend. Sometime alized he had struck around 7:00 on Sat- something. Almost urday night Aguilar, immediately August a resident of Scot- said he felt someone land Halfmoon Vil- under his pick-up. lage, Belize Dis- Aguilar passed away trict, was report- on the way to the edly heading home hospital. from Burrell Boom Police have taken Village, where he a blood sample from had just repaired a him and issued him leaking fuel tank with a Notice of In- on his Lifan motor- tended Prosecution cycle when a vehi- (NIP). They are also cle travelling in the looking into reports opposite direction that the motorcycle slammed into him, which the deceased hurling him into the was driving did not nearby bushes. have on any head- According to the lights. Page 12 Sunday, March 31st, 2019 THE REPORTER Swine Fever and Invasive Khapra Beetle May Threaten Belize Mexico rejected those Wednesday, March 27, 2019 consignments upon By Marion Ali Just as deadly as Af- their arrival and dis- eople in the Ag- rican Swine Fever is covery at their shores. Pricultural indus- the destructive Khapra BAHA officials believe try have implemented Beetle, which are found that the exporters of precautionary bans on in peanuts, and grains these products are now the importation of host such as rice, beans, dog unscrupulously trying products of two agri- food, cereal, sorrel, cof- to get other Central cultural diseases that fee and even noodles. American countries could potentially wipe One careless traveler to buy those consign- out the entire sectors trying to smuggle a ments so as not to lose that they threaten be- pack of rice or noodles their investment in the cause of outbreaks that or pork product that is packaging and ship- have been reported in already contaminated ping of the products other countries that air can affect these respec- across this side of the tive sectors, the officials travel can place dan- world. Pigs slaughtered in China to control spread of swine fever gerously close to home say. In Belize, pork is "These pests, while in a matter of one day. a vital source of pro- Miguel DePaz. The cluding left-overs Although African they may be across the tein and contributes other slaughters are oceans, are not far away from internation- swine fever does not to the livelihood of clandestinely done in al airports and affect humans who because anybody can many commercial and backyards for private pick up something to- seaports; while may eat the infected small pig farmers, purposes, he said. swine farmers carcass, the disease day or tomorrow on a hence it provides jobs While Belize has flight from Asia or Af- are urged to not can spread among to many people in the historically been free use swine swill pigs and obliterate the rica," Director of BA- supply chain. An esti- of African swine fe- HA's Plant Health Unit, to feed their pigs The Khapra Beetle entire pork industry. mated 30,000 pigs are ver, a detection of the and to strengthen their Francisco Gutierrez disease can and will re- which is dangerous China - which pro- slaughtered annually pig farm biosecurity to grains duces half of the entire pointed out on Monday. locally, the majority sult in great economic He said that Mexico measures. There is world's supply of pork of which are inspected loss because of its di- a temporary ban on one who knows of the products, has stepped has detected live speci- by BAHA before they rect and indirect dam- smuggling of pork or mens of the beetle in pigs and pork prod- up its efforts to try and are slaughtered, ac- ages to the industry. ucts originating from pork products into Be- control the spread of consignments of stored cording to Director Hence, BAHA is ask- lize is advised to inform products which they ASF infected countries the disease, by putting of Animal Health at ing the public to desist that are listed by the BAHA at 223-4457 in to death some one mil- imported from other the Belize Agricultural from bringing pork Belize City or at 822- parts of the world, but World Organization for lion pigs. Health Authority, Dr. and pork products, in- Animal Health. Any- 1378 in Belmopan. THE REPORTER Sunday, March 31st, 2019 Page 13 Celebrate Early Childhood Education and Development! By: Zoila Palma Gonzalez years, a child’s main way of learning is through ‘The goal of education is not to increase the play. Play offers children an opportunity to ex- amount of knowledge but to create the possibili- plore, observe, experiment and solve problems. ties for a child to invent and discover, to create It is crucial that we as parents interact with men who are capable of doing new things.’ Jean our children and educate them through play. Piaget Children learn and develop the skills they need Piaget, a Swiss psychologist placed great for life from their parents, therefore we must emphasis on the importance of childhood de- be there to encourage, support, teach, hug and velopment. What better way to celebrate Early listen to them. Childhood education and development by joining Every time a parent speaks to a young child, in Child Stimulation Month activities because the it’s stimulation to the child. It forms brain con- most important stakeholders of this nationwide nections. Reading with young children is an commemoration are our Belizean children. easy way to connect with them and teach them The fun filled calendar provides an opportunity invaluable words and language skills. Books for children to discover and learn new things. with pictures and age-appropriate words hold a Pre-Schoolers explore the duties of community young child's attention, and adding sound effects helpers, learn about endangered species and of funny voices can make reading time even recognize that they are special and unique and more special. Developing reading skills at an that they are loved. Among the many activities early age exposes children to words, ideas and planned are library visits, Festival of Arts, Cul- text before entering school. ture Days and visit to Conservation projects. According to the Harvard Family Research As we near the end of Child Stimulation Month Project, parents involvement at pre-school and 2019, I reflect on the theme, ‘Hug me, Listen during early years of a child’s education has a to me, Read with me, Help me Grow!” Belize number of lifelong benefits including establish- embraced such a fitting theme to commemorate a ing the importance of education and developing month filled with activities dedicated to educat- a network of helpful connections. Early child- ing and bringing awareness to the importance of hood education is just the beginning of your early childhood development and education. The child's educational career. Involving yourself in a classroom setting allows you to get a peek first years of a child’s growth and development enjoyed 'The Cat in the Hat' by Librarian Teresita set the stage for all future growth. In their early into the world of young children. Preschool-age children learn numbers and Ulloa, who sure knows to play the part with her counting, shapes, col- hat and whiskers. ors, animals and words This is a magical time and we as parents and that are vital to their educators are blessed to be a part of this amazing early education. Playing, transformation. And the most important ingredi- talking and engaging ent is LOVE! Children need love to recognize children in fun activi- that they are special and unique, that they have ties get them thinking talents and they are appreciated. Parents and and learning before they educators can share the power of a positive at- enter a classroom. titude and the importance of having self-love. I Every year, the Belize thank all our nation’s educators for a fun filled National Library Ser- learning and interactive calendar of activities vice engages with pre- for Child Stimulation Month 2019. You all are schools countrywide, the real MVPs! hosting fun story-telling As parents, we create the environments and and interactive activi- experiences in which learning happens at home. ties in the promotion This makes us our children’s first teachers. Let of Child Stimulation us get involved for the success of our children, Month. our community and country. Pre-School children ‘Hug me, Listen to me, Read with me, Help in the San Ignacio and me Grow!” Santa Elena community #EarlyChildhoodDevelopment #ChildStimu- lationMonth #Belize S U D O K U Medium Puzzle Answer to Puzzle

Sudoku rules are extremely easy: Fill all empty squares so that the numbers 1 to 9 appear once in each row, column and 3x3 box. Tip. Use a soft erasable pencil. Start with the easy puzzles, then move on to the harder ones. Make small pencilmarks to show which numbers are allowed in empty squares. This will come handy when analyzing techniques are used. Never guess! Only make moves based on logical deductions. Page 14 Sunday, March 31st, 2019 THE REPORTER Belize City Man Arraigned for Double Murder Tuesday, March 26, 2019 that they have suffi- on Faber and Martinez. cient evidence to secure This week Police By Michelle Sutherland Martinez was found an arrest and charges confirmed that they lying face down in a against one of two male are still seeking the uick work by pool of blood inside suspects who was de- other male suspect and QSan Pedro Po- the kitchen area, while tained shortly after the the female who they lice has resulted in an Faber was found inside shooting attempting to believe can assist them arrest for the latest dou- the bedroom of the board a watertaxi back in their investigation. ble murder that rocked house also lying in a to the mainland. Authorities noted that the island community facedown position and Among that evidence the two wanted sus- on Thursday afternoon. apparently dead. When is surveillance foot- pects are from Belize On Monday, Belize Police arrived Marti- age, which prior to the City and are believed City resident Antho- nez was still alive and shooting captured as to have fled from the ny Carballo, 25, was gasping for air, and he the two suspects ac- island shortly after the arraigned at the San was transported to the companied by a woman shooting. Pedro Magistrate’s San Pedro Polyclinic disembarked from a While Police con- Court for two counts where he succumbed boat and walked up firmed that the double of murder in relation to his injuries shortly the street to Faber's murder was not trig- to the shooting deaths after. residence. The woman, gered by any gang ri- of Deon Faber, 40, and Investigations re- according to Police, valry, an investigation Allen Martinez 35. Due veal that prior to the carried a diaper bag into the motive is still to the nature of the of- shooting Faber was in her hands and stood ongoing, including the fense, Carballo was outside in the yard and about one block away possibility that it may denied bail and he was Martinez was inside from the scene while be drug-related. Anthony Carballo Jr. remanded to the Belize the house when a male the two men proceeded Records show that Central Prison until his person armed with a to the location and al- both deceased are origi- island some years ago victims and the sus- next court date on July firearm approached the legedly carried out the nally from Belize City 3rd 2019. to live. Police also con- pected shooter have residence and fired sev- broad daylight attack but relocated to the firmed that both the past criminal records. Around 1:30 p.m. eral gunshots at Faber, Police responded to hitting him to his back, reports of a shooting chest, forearm, and at the home of Deon fingers. When he was Faber, which is located finished the gunman at the rear of a mechan- turned the weapon at ic shop in the Boca Del Martinez and fired sev- Rio area of the island. eral shots at him, in- Inside the house, they juring him to his right discovered the bodies shoulder and neck area. of the two victims, both In the aftermath of with multiple bullet the shooting, San Pe- wounds. dro Police told the me- Police confirmed that dia that they believe

Deon Faber

Allen Martinez THE REPORTER Sunday, March 31st, 2019 Page 15 Alexander Ruiz Charged for Murder By Michelle Sutherland Monday, March 25, 2019 en days after he Twas named the prime suspect in the murder of Luis Ca- brera Jr. 18, and following a successful identification parade held over the weekend, Alexander Ruiz 37 was formally arrested and charged for murder. On March 23rd Ruiz was officially charged with Cabrera's murder and he was arraigned in the Punta Gorda Mag- Main pic - Luis Cabrera Jr. istrate Court on March Inset - Alexander Ruiz told the media that against anyone. 25th. Following his ar- authorities informed The sensational dou- raignment, the accused them that Ruiz was not ble deaths near Punta was denied bail and charged for the crime Gorda on March 13th remanded to the Belize of murder due to insuf- had stunned the usually Central Prison until his ficient evidence and no laid back community. It next court date on May witnesses.The family is alleged that Cabrera 8th, 2019. had disputed that ac- was socializing at a Last week Ruiz was count, claiming that bar when he and Ruiz released from custody they had a witness who got involved in an ar- after he was arraigned went on record to state gument over a female on traffic offenses and that he saw when Ruiz waitress at the bar. Ruiz a manslaughter charge allegedly broke a pint allegedly broke a bottle for allegedly causing bottle and stabbed Ca- and stabbed Cabrera the death of his friend brera to his neck. before he got on his William Garcia in a In response to those motorcycle along with motorcycle accident claims, last week Police Garcia and attempted to while attempting to flee told the media that the flee the scene. The two the scene of the fatal case was not as clear men ended up crashing stabbing. cut as family members into a utility pole near Ruiz's release from perceived it to be and the San Antonio Road custody caused an up- certain procedures had where Garcia sustained roar amongst Cabrera's to be followed prior to fatal injuries and died family members who charges being brought instantly. Another Fake Gun License Surfaces By Marion V. Ali lice, who is the only single action shot- person authorized to guns only." or the second issue gun licenses for The Officer said Ftime in as many that type of weapon. that if these civilian months another busi- A high-ranking Po- employees are found nessman finds him- lice Officer told the to be forging gun li- self in trouble with Reporter this week censes, they too are the law and facing jail that it is quite likely charged criminally. time after he report- that there is collu- In this case, the civil- edly tried to get a fake sion involved in the ian employee was re- gun license renewed. issuance of the fake moved from her post It happened last license, but that Fire- pending the outcome Friday when Alberto arms Clerks are all ci- of an investigation. Ishmael Moralez, 26, vilians and that "some Last month, a simi- of Biscayne Village people are good at lar case arose when went to the Firearms scanning documents another businessman Office at the Raccoon and are not mindful showed up at the Street Police Station that the entire system same Police Station and tried to get a "re- is computerized.” The to "renew" a gun li- newal" for a fake gun Officer stressed that cense which had not license for a .9mm "some (members of been originally issued Luger brand pistol. the public) may have by the Commissioner The document that a little inside collu- of Police. That man Moralez provided, sion; however only reportedly applied which bore a date of the Commissioner for a renewal of a January 2, 2018 when can approve licenses gun license which he the previous license for all type weapons claimed he had got- was purportedly is- that are not prohib- ten in 2018. He, like sued, was found to ited by law, while his Moralez, was arrested be fake because it assigned Deputy Dis- and charged and the was not issued by the trict Commanders can weapon was confis- Commissioner of Po- approve licenses for cated. Page 16 Sunday, March 31st, 2019 THE REPORTER Mason et al Seeking New Attorneys had taken. Panton said that their departure from the trial was not expected to cause a mistrial because Justice Moore had indicated that the case would proceed in April when the defendants hire a new attorney. He could not say, however, whether later on in the trial their sud- den departure won't cause a mistrial. Panton debunked the suggestion and the report made which one media house announced - Herbert Panton that Mason and his co-defendants had fired Panton and Montejo. "This was an ap- plication made by myself to the Court to be relieved from defending the five accused," Panton clarified, saying that he is no longer seeing the defendants, or taking calls from them. The two attorneys abandoned the case not long after damn- ing evidence was revealed, including video recordings and Rachael Montejo- Juan a confession given by By Marion V. Ali one of the defendants another defense at- that Justice Moore elize's most torney. was contemplating Bhigh-profile Panton explained whether to permit as case - the Mason to reporters that he evidence. et al murder trial - had applied to the Mason along with hangs in the balance Court to be relieved Ernest Castillo, Ash- after the second and of the case and that ton Vanegas, and third Defense Attor- request was granted brothers, Keron and neys, Herbert Panton on Friday. Panton Terrence Fernandez and Rachel Montejo- did not offer a reason are accused of the Juan quit last Friday, for his and Montejo's murder of Dangriga two weeks after the abrupt exit, pointing Pastor Llewelyn first Attorney, Rich- to his oath of confi- Lucas in July of ard "Dickie" Bradley dentiality that they 2016. walked away from the case saying that other Court commit- ments would have overlapped with the proceedings. On Friday, the day after the Courtroom was cleared and the case was abruptly adjourned with no one willing to speak, the attorneys again gathered in closed session for a meeting with presiding Judge, Justice An- toinette Moore, after which the case was again adjourned - this time for two weeks until the defendants can find THE REPORTER Sunday, March 31st, 2019 Page 17 Page 18 Sunday, March 31st, 2019 THE REPORTER YOUR WEEKLY SPORTS UPDATE Independence Girls Win National Softball Championship Belize City, March 23, 2019 he girls of Indepen- Tdence High School won the national softball championships organized by the National Second- ary Schools Sports As- sociation (NSSSA), and hosted by the Indepen- dence High School on Friday and Saturday, March 22-23. MVP pitcher Daveesha Cardinez struck out eight batters, walked five and gave up four hits as she led the IHS girls to an 8-4 win over the Northern Zone champions – the San Pedro High School girls, in the championship final Saturday afternoon. The IHS diamond forced diamond obliged IHS IHS girls - national softball champions the island girls to leave six to leave three runners runners on base, and only on base, allowing Dian Ivanna Nunez, Sueny Ochoa to cross the plate Vasquez, Aaliyah Pilgrim twice; while Rhea Ar- and Vivian Marin each don Burgess, Michaeline scored a run. Logan, Beverly Small, The IHS girl collected Kylee Guerrero, Kadisha six hits off pitcher Sueny Coe and Shadiamond Vasquez, who struck out Joseph each scored once. seven batters, but walked The San Pedro High three. The islanders’ School girls had done bet-

San Pedro High girls are sub-champions. ter in the opening game San Pedro won by the Mena, Kadisha Coe and Guerra each rounded the of the tournament Fri- tie-breaker rule; which Daveesha Cardinez to bases twice. Allana Alar- day afternoon; as pitcher was invoked when the each cross the plate twice, con, Ashanti Card and Sueny Vasquez struck score remained tied 3-3 and Michaeline Logan, Elona Oshon each scored out seven batters, walked at the end of five innings; Kylee Guerrero, Diana once. seven and gave up no but San Pedro had been Ochoa, Shadiamond The champions, sub- hits to lead them to a 3-1 leading 3-1 at the end of Joseph and Damiane champions and third place victory over the Central the third inning. Longsworth each scored winners all received team Zone champions – the MVP pitcher Daveesha once. trophies and individual Edward P. Yorke High Cardinez had struck out Darla Guerra struck out medals from IHS prin- school girls. The island seven batters as she led four batters, walked three cipal Omar Longsworth girls collected seven hits the IHS girls to qualify and gave up three hits as and other members of off Darla Guerra’s pitch- to the finals by an 11-1 she led the E.P. Yorke the NSSSA executive ing, who also struck out victory over the Western girls to an 11-1 win over committee at the awards eight batters, but walked Zone champions – the the Belmopan Baptist ceremony. IHS also three. The E.P. Yorke dia- Belmopan Baptist High girls, by mercy rule in the swept all the individual mond forced the island School girls, by mercy fourth inning in the con- awards offered by corpo- girls to leave three runners rule in three innings in solation game for third rate sponsor SOL Belize on base, but allowed Ash- the second game Friday place Saturday morning. Ltd. Kadisha Coe won ley Minott, catcher Den- evening. Cardinez gave The city girls collected Most Stolen Bases, Reah nisa Mairena and Karissa up only one hit, and only 13 hits off Leonie Al- Burgess won Most Runs Vasquez to each score a Nazalee Recinos scored dana’s pitching. She also Batted In (RBIs), and run. The islanders’ dia- for Belmopan. The IHS struck out five batters, but Shadiamond Joseph won mond forced E.P. Yorke to girls collected seven hits walked three. E.P. Yorke Best Batting Average. leave four runners on base off Leonie Aldana’s pitch- left four runners on base, Most Valuable Player and only Aesha Metzken, ing, who struck out four but Aesha Metzken cross Daveesha Cardinez also Ashanti Card and Elona batters and walked six. the plate thrice; while claimed Most Strikeouts: Sueny Vasquez struck out 14 batters Oshon each scored a run. This allowed Royisha Kersha Lacayo and Darla 15, and Most Wins. Sports 2 REPORTER March 31st, 2019 THE REPORTER Sunday, March 31st, 2019 Page 19 YOUR WEEKLY SPORTS UPDATE Independence High Boys Win National Softball Championship struck out five batters, allowing no hits; for the Or- ange Walk Tech boys to lead 15-2 over the OLOG boys in the consolation game for third place Sat- urday morning. OLOG’s pitcher Carlos Beardall was suspended from play after he was thrown out of the game Friday night The OWTHS boys collected seven hits off substitute pitcher Ra- jeni Matura, who also walked 13 batters. This allowed Manuel Garcia to score three runs, while Julian Galvez, Kings- ley Velasquez, Tyrese Augustine, Ian Alvarez and Freddy Villeda each scored two runs and By- ron Salazar scored once. Belize City, March 23, 2019 IHS boys win national softball championship Chi walked five batters, he boys of Inde- lead the IHS boys to a Tpendence High 6-5 win over the Central School won the national Zone champions – the softball championships Ladyville Technical High organized by the Na- School boys, in the cham- tional Secondary Schools pionship final Saturday Sports Association (NSS- evening. The Ladyville SA), and hosted by the In- boys collected nine hits dependence High School off Apolonio’s pitch- on Friday and Saturday, ing. He also walked one March 22-23. batter. Jaheim Webster MVP pitcher Jeff- scored twice, while Ra- ton “Biggy” Apolonio heem Baptist, Sherwane struck out five batters to Hendy and Andre Gomez

Ladyville Technical boys are sub-champions each scored a run to lead opening game Friday win over the Western but only Zane Griffith and 5-3 at the end of the third afternoon. The Ladyville Zone champions – the Kory Gomez had scored inning. boys collected 13 hits off Our Lady of Guadalupe for OLOG, when they Ladyville’s pitcher Andir Chi’s pitching. He (OLOG) High School forfeited the game, and Mark Estell struck out also walked eight batters. boys from Belmopan the score reverted to 7-0. 10 batters and walked The diamond made five in Friday’s nightcap. The champions, sub- one, but gave up four errors, allowing Raheem The IHS boys collected champions and third hits. IHS’ Marlon Flores Baptist and Sherwane 12 hits off Carlos Bear- place winners all received hit a home run, and the Hendy to each cross the dall’s pitching. He also team trophies and in- diamond committed four plate four times! Nigel Se- struck out three batters dividual medals from errors, allowing Kenroy guro and Zion Conorquie but walked two. IHS left IHS principal Omar Palacio, Juan Chirinos, each scored twice, and four runners on base, Longsworth and other Elaro Serano, Leslie Jaheim Webster, Mark but the OLOG diamond members of the NSSSA Jackson and Peter Joo to Estell, Keyan Dawson made five errors, allow- executive committee at each score a run to take and Ashton Smith each ing Kenroy Palacio, Les- the awards ceremony. over the lead 6-5 at the scored once. The Orange lie Jackson, and Juan Among the individual end of the fourth inning. Walk boys collected six Chirinos to each score awards offered by corpo- The IHS diamond forced hits off Estell’s pitching. three runs. Apolonio, rate sponsor SOL Belize Ladyville to leave five He also walked three bat- Marlon Flores and Peter Ltd, Jeffton Apolonio runners on base, and no ters. The diamond forced Joo each scored twice, won Most Valuable Play- runs scored in the top of OWTHS to leave five and Elaro Serano scored er and Most Wins; while the fifth as HIS secured runners on base, and only a run. Apolonio gave up his teammates Marlon the 6-5 win. Julian Galvez, Kingsley six hits and walked 10 Flores won Most Stolen Mark Estell struck out Velasquez, Manuel Gar- batters, allowing Zane Bases, and Juan Chirinos 12 batters, as he led the cia and Freddy Villeda Griffith, Korey Gomez, won Most Runs Batted In Ladyville boys to a 16-4 each scored a run Devin Ireland and Justin (RBIs). Mark Estell won win over the Northern MVP pitcher Jeffton Martinez to each score Most Strikeouts – 22, Zone champions – the “Biggy” Apolonio struck two runs; while Rajeni and his teammate Jaheim Orange Walk Technical out 10 batters to lead Matura scored once. Webster won Best Bat- MVP Jeffton Apolonio struck out 15 batters High School boys, in the the IHS boys to a 16-9 Pitcher Andir Chi ting Average. March 31st, 2019 REPORTER Sports 3 Page 20 Sunday, March 31st, 2019 THE REPORTER YOUR WEEKLY SPORTS UPDATE Rumberas & Altitude FC Draw 2-2 in NAWL Football minutes later. Anijay hat trick six minutes fore the long whistle Quiros scored a third before intermission to to complete the 17-1 goal a minute later, lead 13-0! rout. and Fatima Romero Shanell Thomas The Freedom Fight- scored a fourth goal scored the Pumas’ ers held the Santa within the minute. only goal 28 min- Elena Strikers to a 1-1 Three minutes utes after the break, draw at the Victory later Fatima struck but Fatima scored the Sanchez Union field again and Suswani 14th goal three min- in Punta Gorda on scored a sixth goal utes later, and Kur- Sunday. Rosivel Gue- eight minutes later. sha Pollard added a vara struck first for Jayda Brown scored 15th goal within the the visitors after two a seventh goal after minute. Janivi Quiros minutes of play, but 23 minutes of action scored the 16th goal Leah Mariano equal- and added an eighth a minute later, and ized for the Freedom goal 10 minutes later. Romero scored her Fighters three min- Fatima scored a ninth sixth goal of the utes before the long goal 10 minutes be- match six minutes be- whistle. fore intermission and Suswani delivered the 11th goal a minute later, and a 12th goal two minutes after. Jayda Brown completed her

Jessica Lopez scored Rumberas’ 1st goal Independence, March 23, 2019 he Rumberas of of Karisha Coe and TIndependence Cristy Cardinez on held Altitude FC of the wings, and Sabri- Placencia to a 2-2 na Eiley and Pauline draw in the seventh Linarez at midfield. week of the National The first half was al- Women’s Amateur most over when Alti- League (NAWL) tour- tude FC won a corner nament at the Mi- kick, and Pauline Li- chale Ashcroft Sta- narez connected with dium in Independence a header to equalize on Saturday, March 1-1 just before inter- 23; while Jewel Fury mission. mauled the Dangriga Diana Vega came Pumas 17-1 at the off the Altitude bench Isidoro Beaton Sta- to replace Coe after Ashley Rodriguez scored dium in Belmopan. the break, and Zulma Fatima Romero scored 6 goals vs. Pumas Ashley Rodriguez Ortega relieved Fore- Rumberas’ 2nd goal and Adiz mejia led man. Altitude FC won utes after the break. the Rumberas’ of- a free kick directly in But the Rumberas fensive, supported front of the center of did not have long to by Kelsey Polanco the goal, but Rum- rejoice, as Pauline and Delmi Cornelio beras’ goalkeeper Ju- Linarez embarrassed on the wings, and lie Ramirez proved Ramirez with the Quinaiah Caliz and up to the challenge to equalizer four min- Jessica Lopez at mid- deflect the ball away. utes later: 2-2 final. field. Sylvia Cabral Tamara Baptist’s Undefeated Jewel anchored the Altitude corner kick drained Fury’s sparkplug Hon- defense with the help harmlessly behind the duran import Fatima of Digna Cruz, Libni goal. Romero continues to Mojica and Brenda Down at the other lead the league with Alvarado to frustrate end, Ashley Rodri- 24 goals, adding six the Rumberas for half guez tested goalkeep- more to her tally as an hour of play. But er Daisy Quintero she led the defending when Jessica Lopez’s with a shot, but Quin- champions to their shot hit the crossbar, tero handled ably. sixth victory: 17-1 Brenda Alvarado’s at- Quinaiah Caliz drove over the Dangriga tempt to kick out the the ball up the right Pumas. A scant few ball instead sent the flank to the goal-line minutes of play had ball into the back of where her cross to elapsed when Mexi- the net: 1-0. center found Ashley can import Suswani Jelissa Foreman and Rodriguez, whose Martinez struck the Tamara Baptist led right-away shot found first goal and Kur- the Altitude counter- the left corner of the sha Pollard scored attacks with the help net: 2-1 some 13 min- a second goal five Pauline Linarez equalized 2-2 for Altitude FC Sports 4 REPORTER March 31st, 2019 THE REPORTER Sunday, March 31st, 2019 Page 21 YOUR WEEKLY SPORTS UPDATE Verdes & Gladiators Lead NAWL North Zone Football the northern group of Football phenom into her own net: 2-0! tion remained when the National Wom- Katie Jones continued Katie Jones scored Twila Chaneb deliv- en’s Amateur League her path to glory as her second goal two ered a fourth goal, (NAWL) football she scored four goals minutes later. Janel- and Araceli Lambey tournament; Verdes to lead the Gladiators lie Chan scored the scored a fifth goal has 17pts after cele- to their fifth victory: visitors’ fourth goal six minute before the brating their fifth win 8-0 over the San Pe- two minutes later: long whistle. Sara 2-1 over the Maya dro Invaders at the 4-0 and Maira Acosta Arzu blasted in a Hill Royals at the Ambergris Stadium delivered a fifth goal sixth goal three min- Norman Broaster Sta- on Saturday night. a minute after. Katie utes before the final dium in San Ignacio Katie opened the completed her hat whistle to complete on Sunday afternoon, scoreboard after 22 trick seven minutes the rout. March 24. minutes of action. Six before intermission The tournament Maricela Her- minutes later, San Pe- to lead 6-0 at the half continues with Black nandez and Yami- dro defender Saman- time break. Katie Orchid visiting the leth Alarcon led the tha Galeano’s attempt worked her magic Maya Hill Roy- Verdes’ attacks, sup- to clear the ball out of for a seventh goal als at the Norman ported by Tamelyn the goal area resulted 11 minutes after the Broaster Stadium on Escobar and Flor in her sending the ball break, and only two Saturday, while the minutes of regulation Gladiators challenge remained when Janel- Verdes for the top lie Chan scored her berth at the People’s second goal to com- Stadium. The San Pe- plete the 8-0 rout! dro Invaders sail to The Black Orchid a rematch with the girls of Belize City Corozal Scorpions at enjoyed their fourth the Santiago Ricalde victory, in a 6-0 blast Stadium on Sunday. of the Corozal Scor- They had drawn 4-4 pions at the MCC in the opening match Grounds on Satur- of the tournament at day afternoon. The the Ambergris Caye Corozal girls held off on February 2. the city girls’ offen- In the southern sive until six minutes group, the Rumberas Tamelyn Escobar scored Verdes’ 2nd goal before intermission, await the Dangriga when Shardee Lozano Pumas at the Michael Belize City, March 24, 2019 scored the first goal Ashcroft Stadium to lead 1-0 at the half. and the Orange Walk on Saturday, when ndefeated Fleet-footed Aali- Verdes Rebels Gladiators are leading the Ladies Freedom U yah Herbert drilled Fighters will host home a second goal the Altitude FC at five minutes after the Victor Sanchez the break, and Ada Union field. Jewel Cordova scored a Fury challenges the third goal four min- Santa Elena Strikers utes later. Only 14 at the Santa Elena minutes of regula- Sports complex on Maricela Hernandez scored Verdes’ 1st goal Vasquez at midfield, but the Maya Hill defense held off their attacks to secure a scoreless draw up to intermission. Some- thing had to give, and Maricela Her- nandez opened the scoreboard for Verdes nine minutes after the break: 1-0. Janeli Rosalez equalized 1-1 for Maya Hill 16 minutes later, and it seemed the match might end in a draw, until Tamelyn Es- cobar drilled home Verdes’ second, winning goal two minutes before the long Janellie Chan scored vs. San Pedro whistle. Maira Acosta Scored Gladiators’ 5th goal March 31st, 2019 REPORTER Sports 5 Page 22 Sunday, March 31st, 2019 THE REPORTER YOUR WEEKLY SPORTS UPDATE St. Joseph’s & Holy Redeemer Boys Enter Semifinals Belize City, March 21, 2019 a 25-20, 250-18 win over the All Saints he girls and can boys: 25-11, 25-12. boys. Tboys of Holy The undefeated Holy The undefeated Redeemer RC School Redeemer boys ad- Hummingbird Ele- and St. Joseph’s RC vanced by eliminating mentary advanced to School will challenge the Salvation Army the semifinals by elim- the Belize Elementary boys: 25-8, 25-10. inating the St. Mary’s School and Humming- The St. Joseph’s RC Anglican girls: 25-13, bird Primary School boys eliminated the 25-12 girls and boys in the Bethel Primary boys: The Bethel School primary schools vol- 25-18, 23-25, 15-10. boys picked up an easy leyball semifinals or- The Belize Elemen- 25-0, 25-0 win by the ganized by the Na- tary boys had to go to Calvary Temple boys’ tional Sports Council three sets to eliminate forfeit. at the Stars gymnasium the hitherto undefeated The Belize Elemen- in Belize City on Mon- St. Mary’s boys: 25-11, tary girls eliminated day, March 25, after 24-26, 15-5 the St. Martin De Por- all four boys’ teams The Holy Redeemer res RC girls: 26-24, advanced through girls eliminated the 25-12 last Monday. the quarterfinals last Salvation Army girls: The Belize Elemen- Thursday, March 21. 25-19, 25-10 last Tues- tary boys got the easy The Hummingbird day. bye to the quarter fi- Elementary boys quali- The Salvation Army nals by the St. Martin’s fied by eliminating the boys made the cut to boys’ forfeit: 25-7, 25- Queen Square Angli- the quarterfinals by 0 BES boys won 2-1 vs. St. Mary’s MOE, Belize Bank, JB Security & Tourist Village Win Belize, March 22, 2018 the wings, and Rose Johnson who impressed Gonzalez and Jason the scoreboard with he Ministry of Rodriguez to help their Moralez at midfield. BPO’s second goal in Education/ Pre- T goalkeeper Ansel Mar- But the JB defenders the penultimate minute mium Wines, Belize tinez keep a clean slate Chris Guild, Khambrel of play: 4-2 final. Bank, J.B. Security, up to intermission. But Blease, Fidel Ack and The Belize Water Fort Point Tourist Vil- Lino would not be de- Jervis Tench held them Services salvaged a 1-1 lage, Belize Water nied, as he struck home at bay for 15 minutes, draw with the Belize Services and Tourist the winning goal 10 while BPO conceded a Defence Force, out of Village Tennants all minutes after the break. free kick some 35 yard the jaws of defeat last enjoyed victories when Speedy Kevin Najera in front of the center of Wednesday evening. the Maclean Insurance and Kenroy Martin led the goal. Wendelle Es- Only three minutes of Interoffice football the KHMH counter- quiliano executed with regulation remained tournament organized attack, supported by precision, with a low, when Jylile Briceño by the Belize District Errol Sutherland and grass-burner cruise scored first for the BDF Football Association Steve Myles on the missile that blew past who were already cel- continued at the Mar- Ian Jones struck MOE’s 1st goal wings, and veteran Hel- goalkeeper George Tor- ebrating when BWS’ ion Jones Sports Com- en Flowers and Aaron res into the back of the Dave Robateau equal- the Belize City Coun- final. plex in Belize City last Santos at midfield. But net: 1-0! Deandre “Dee- ized 1-1 in the penul- cil 3-2 last Thursday The Ministry of Wednesday through to no avail, for veteran Dee” Pitters returned timate minute of play! evening. A scant four Education/ Premium Friday, March 20-22. Albert Thurton led the the favour for BPO The Tourist Village minutes of play had Wines held football The Fort Street Tour- FPTV defense with the nine minutes later, but Tennants enjoyed a 2-1 elapsed when Charlie clinic for the Simon ist Village rumbled to help of Matthew Leal, Wendelle Esquiliano victory over DigiCell in Canton Jr. struck first Quan eleven: 3-0 in last their second victory 1-0 Parnell Graham and struck again just before Wednesday’s nightcap. for BCC, but Francisco Thursday’s nightcap. over the Karl Heusner track star Wilhelm Les- intermission to lead 2-1 Hector Martinez struck Briceño equalized for NSC executive direc- Memorial Hospital in lie to hold the medics at the half. Wendelle first for Tennants after the bankers in the final tor Ian Jones struck the first match Friday scoreless up to the final completed his hat trick 23 minutes of play and minute before intermis- the first winning goal evening. Carlos Lino whistle. seven minutes after Tyrel “Hulk” Rowley sion. Kendice “Soup” after 21 minutes of play and John Castro led The J.B Security the break, and went on delivered a second goal Williams scored the and Steven “Bredds” the FPTV supported squad secured a 4-2 to score a fourth goal nine minutes before bankers’ second goal Baizar scored a second by Alex Faber and Ezra win over Transpar- seven minutes before intermission. Lawrence two minutes after the goal six minutes before Deshield on the wings, ent Business Process the long whistle. Brackett scored a con- break, but Darren Leal intermission. Simon and by Thomas Cas- Outsourcing (BPO) in J.B.s forwards Fais- solation goal for Digi- equalized for the City Quan defender Max tro and Claudia Mar- Friday’s nightcap. An- al Ahmad and Andre Cell in the final minute Council two minutes Ramirez’s errant pass tinez at midfield. The thony “Buck” Arnold Alvarado pressed for before intermission, but later. Eleven minutes back to his goalkeeper able Rayford Smith and John “Bull” King more goals, supported the telecom red jerseys of regulation remained went awry, when the anchored the K.H.M.H. led the BPO attacks, by midfielders Kend- failed to score a second when Douglas Bowen goalkeeper missed his defense with the help with the help of Dean- alle Esquiliano, Alice equalizing goal after delivered the coup de cue, and the ball rolled of Gravel Young, Mar- dre “Dee-Dee” Pitters King and Mark Mil- the break. grace with the bankers’ past him into the net: tin Flowers and Hilton and Ernie Johnson on ligan, but it was Ernie Belize Bank taxed third winning goal: 3-2 3-0! Sports 6 REPORTER March 31st, 2019 THE REPORTER Sunday, March 31st, 2019 Page 23 YOUR WEEKLY SPORTS UPDATE FC Elite, City Boys & Barrack Rd FC Win Belize City, March 24, 2019 pivoted on his left foot to rocket in a right foot he FC Elite, City The ball ricocheted shot at point blank Boys FC and T off the right upright, range: 5-1. Barrack Rd FC all en- bounced across to the Patnett completed joyed victories when left upright and re- his hat trick when Ka- the First Division bounded back out onto reem “Ton-ton” Flow- tournament organized the field! Nonetheless, ers brought the ball by the Belize District the referee ruled pen- up the left sideline, to Football Association alty in that Linarez pass the ball to Akeem continued at the MCC had fouled Mikey. But Sutherland at center, Grounds on Sunday, again Mikey failed to where his heeled re- March 24. convert. His shot again verse pass found Pat- The Barrack Road drained wide of the nett for the finish: 6-1 FC continues to lead uprights! six minutes before the the tournament by a Two minutes later half. A minute later, 3-0 win over the Caye Delroy “Thinman” Patnett got an early Caulker Avengers Andrews scored the red ticket to the show- in the first match of City Boys’ second ers. At the half, the the afternoon. Clin- goal, and when Patnett Stars Academy con- ton “Pin” Jorgen- set table for Andrews ceded that they were son struck the first six minutes later, outmatched, and did winning goal eight Claishaun Lewis had not take the field for minutes before inter- no answer to Andrews’ the second half. mission: 1-0. Then cannonball shot from FC Elite rumbled Caye Caulker’s vet- the top of the 18-yard past Caesar Ridge FC eran defender Gravel box: 3-0. Patnett now 3-2 in the final match Young compounded mounted a solo effort of the evening. Dion Delroy Andrews scored City Boys 2nd & 3rd goals his team’s woes by up the right sideline to Cacho struck first for sending the ball into embarrass Claishaun Caesar Ridge from a his own net: 2-0 six with a fourth goal. At free kick, when goal- minutes before the this, the Stars reshuf- keeper Alvin Mangan- half time break. Ken- fled their line-up with di slipped, and the ball rick Gabourel iced Nigel Matus taking got past him into the the 3-0 victory with Lewis’ place in goal, right corner of the net: a third goal 11 min- and Claishaun came 1-0 after 16 minutes of utes before the long out to play defence. play. FC Elite found whistle. But the City Boys’ themselves reduced The Stars Acade- bombardment contin- to 10 men, when their my has five players ued, even as Godwin forward John King on the national Un- Neal arrived to bring was ejected with a red der-17 selection which the Stars Academy up card for unsportsman- was in camp over the to eight men. Akeem like conduct toward weekend, training for “Bib” Sutherland one of his teammates. an upcoming CON- scored a fifth goal for Sean Young equal- CACAF tournament, the City Boys after 29 ized for FC Elite 12 and they could only minutes of play. minutes later, when muster seven players Dylan Belisle fi- Naim “Nemo” Wilson for their scheduled nally put the Stars on drove the ball up the match against the City the scoreboard, when right sideline to the Boys FC in the second Ajani Vaughn drove goal line, and his pass match of the after- the ball up the flank to center found Sean noon. The City Boys and centered into the Young for the finish: were at full strength box, where Belisle and only two minutes Akeem “Bib” Sutherland scored had passed when Kei- City Boys’ 5th goal ron “Benny” Patnett had streaked up the 1-1. Devaughn “Beck- drove the ball inside right flank to the goal- ham” Zuniga set table the 18-yard box, look- line to blast in the first for Kenny Linares to ing to score; and the goal past a hapless embarrass goalkeeper referee ruled penalty goalkeeper Claishaun Denzil Lewis with a when the CRFC de- Lewis. second goal for FC fenders brought down Mikey Palacio sur- Elite three minutes Aleman inside the goal prised the City Boys’ before intermission. area. Naim Wilson goalkeeper Elden Li- Nelson “Cacky” stepped up to convert narez with an imme- Tablada Jr. came off for a 3-1 lead with 14 diate counterattack a the CRFC bench to minutes of regulation minute later. Linarez relieve Kishane Mag- remaining. came off his line to daleno after the break, The game was in in- meet Mikey’s charge, and FC Elite refreshed jury time when Joshua but was beaten and its attack formation Villanueva delivered a could only watch with Jeremy Archer second goal for Caesar helplessly as Mikey replacing Linares. FC Ridge, but the long shot at the empty net. Elite kept on the pres- whistle sounded to a Dion Cacho scored Caesar Ridge FC’s 1st goal sure, as Jorge Aleman 3-2 win for FC Elite. March 31st, 2019 REPORTER Sports 7 Page 24 Sunday, March 31st, 2019 THE REPORTER THE REPORTER Sunday, March 31st, 2019 Page 25 Popular Musician Seeks Help for Ailing Son By Marion V. Ali Tuesday, March 26, 2019 opular Belizean City, unable to even is hard to watch your Pmusician, Ras In- eat, do routine activi- child suffer and know dio, son of Cungo Mu- ties, and play soccer that you can't do any- sic icon Bredda David in the evenings, which thing to relieve their Obi, is appealing to you is his hobby. He is in pain." He asks any- to help him see his own need of an Endoscopy one who is willing to son out of a medical to determine if he is help his son by making condition that is costing suffering from Inflam- monetary donations their family money that matory Bowel Disease, and to pray for him. they cannot readily pay since his stomach has Donations are possi- up front. ballooned well out of ble through their GO Fourteen year-old proportion to the rest FUND ME account at: Zaire Obi was taken of his body. https://www.gofund- to and admitted at the Ras Indio com- me.com/send-blessing- Western Regional Hos- mented, "As a father it for-ras-indio-son?utm_ pital in Belmopan over a week ago after months of abdominal pain. He was subsequently rushed to El Salvador, where he underwent a colonoscopy, biopsy, and several other tests and was diagnosed with inflammation of his large intestine and Coli- tis. He was discharged with medication, but his father informs that the teen's condition has not improved and is preventing him from attending classes. Last week Zaire was Zaire Obi, unable to play his favourite sport, rushed from Belmopan holds a soccer ball as his protruding stomach, to the KHMH in Belize caused by his medical condition, is visible Page 26 Sunday, March 31st, 2019 THE REPORTER Tackling Human Trafficking and Building Safer Communities Belize City Friends Center to advertise for a each other – we don’t Collaboration be- students and offic- nities where econom- human trafficking hold people in slav- tween Belize City ers from the Police ic vulnerability has n Belize City this awareness campaign. ery. So take care of Friends Center and Drama club worked become the incentive IFebruary, a fa- Because of stories each other.” the Police depart- together to shoot to human trafficking. ther was enjoying like this, Belize City The Mad Dogs ment began last year videos that promote The starting point for time in his yard with Friends Center, in team earned their when organizations good relations be- communities to be his kids when a man partnership with the place as the tour- and community lead- tween officers and involved in solving in a car pulled up. Police Department, nament champions, ers came together to young people, as this problem is to The man got out of hosted a commu- and Belize Friends discuss how to work well as building safer know about it and to his car and struck up nity workshop and School basketball with the Police De- communities. be aware that human a conversation with basketball tourna- team took second partment to create This year’s cam- trafficking is real, the father. ment on March 9th at place. Other teams safer communities. paign against human often happening right After a few min- Bird’s Isle, to create that took part in the The first project un- trafficking builds in front of us when utes of talking, the awareness about the tournament were der this collabora- on this collabora- we least expect – like man pointed to one problem of human Champion Boys and tion was “Commu- tive framework to when we’re enjoying of the father’s sons trafficking. 4K Tray. Organiz- nity Safety Forum,” a advance the work a pleasant evening and said, “How much Mr. Jermaine Hyde ers were impressed collaborative project shared by other or- in our yard with our do you want for that of the Police Train- by the high level of that brought together ganizations on the kids. boy?” The father ing Academy gave sportsmanship and organizations like Southside to build If you see anything laughed, sure that a workshop focused teamwork shown Belize Coalition for safer communities by like looks like peo- the man was joking. on helping young among and between the Human Rights of identifying prevail- ple are being tak- The man pointed to people in the com- all the teams that the African Descend- ing socio-economic en, moved, held, or another son. “How munity to know what joined the tourna- ants, Belize Friends challenges and work- forced into any kind much do you want for human trafficking is, ment. School, and the Com- ing together to ad- of work against their that boy?” how it works, how to Belize City Friends munity Policing Unit dress them. will, call the police The father stopped recognize potential Center was created to work on a commu- Human traffick- at 911 or call Crime laughing when he human trafficking to respond to needs nity safety commu- ing remains a major Stoppers Belize at realized that the man situations and what that emerge from nication project. Be- challenge among dis- 0-800-922-8477 was talking about his people in communi- the community by lize Friends School advantaged commu- (TIPS). sons as if they were ties can do about it. working with other goats and that he Mr. Hyde especially organizations, com- seriously wanted to encouraged the boys munity leaders, and buy them. The father to be a part of stop- respective govern- was overwhelmed ping the demand for ment agencies. It is with fear. He threw trafficked people, a sister organization a rock into the man’s especially trafficked to Belize Friends car windscreen, and women caught in School, which has the cops were called. sexual slavery, and been working on the The father told his to call for help if Southside of Belize story to Belize City they ever saw an- city for over two dec- Friends Center this ything suspicious. ades to provide sec- March as they were Belizeans, Mr. Hyde ond-chance educa- handing out flyers said, “take care of tion to at-risk youth. THE REPORTER Sunday, March 31st, 2019 Page 27

Can You Learn Anything While You Sleep? here are only 24 of what we have en- ence. even seeing the most published in the Journal different layers: rec- Thours in a day, countered during the But in recent years, basic form of learn- of Neuroscience. In that ognizing the sounds, and usually about a day. The sleeping brain studies have found that ing is interesting for a research, smokers used learning the vocabulary third of that is spent replays the day’s expe- the brain may not be a scientist,” said Thomas fewer cigarettes after and mastering the gram- sleeping. So, the over- riences and stabilizes total blob during sleep. Andrillon, a neurosci- spending a night being mar. So far, research ambitious have always them by moving them These findings sug- entist at Monash Uni- exposed to the smell of suggests it may be pos- wondered: Is it possible from the hippocam- gest that it is possible versity in Melbourne, cigarettes paired with sible to get familiarized to make use of this time pus, where they are with the tone and accent and learn a new skill first formed, to regions of a language or even or even a language? In across the brain. Given the meaning of words other words, is sleep that so much is happen- while sleeping, but to learning possible? ing to memories during a weaker level than The answer is yes and sleep, it’s natural to ask what we already do all no, depending on what if the memories can be the time during the day we mean by “learning.” altered, enhanced or without noticing. Absorbing complex even formed anew. And then you have information or picking One popular ap- to consider the cost, up a new skill from proach to sleep learn- Andrillion said. Stimu- scratch by, say, listening ing was Psycho-phone, lating the sleeping brain to an audio recording a popular device in the with new information during sleep is almost 1930s. It played out likely disrupts the func- certainly impossible. motivational messages tions of sleep, negative- But research shows that to sleepers, such as “I ly affecting the pruning the sleeping brain is radiate love,” suppos- and strengthening of far from idle and that edly helping the people what we have learned some forms of learning absorb the ideas in their for the sleeping brain Australia. “But people rotten eggs or spoiled over the previous day, can happen. However, subconscious and wake to absorb information are not really interested fish. he said. whether that’s worth up with radiant confi- and even form new in this basic form of “Guga” means el- While losing qual- losing sleep over has dence. memories. The catch, learning.” ephant: Learning lan- ity sleep to potentially yet to be determined. At first, it seemed that however, is that the For scientists, the guages during sleep? learn a few words is The concept of sleep research backed up the memories are implicit, recent discoveries have Andrillon and his not a smart trade-off, learning, or hypnope- idea behind devices like or unconscious. Put raised hopes about pos- colleagues have found researchers continue dia, has a long history. Psycho-phone. Some another way, this form sible applications, An- that learning in sleep to study sleep learning The first study to dem- early studies found that of learning is extremely drillon told Live Sci- can go beyond simple because the compro- onstrate a memory and people learned the ma- basic, much simpler ence. For example, the conditioning. In their mise may be worth it learning benefit from terial they encountered than what your brain implicit nature of sleep 2017 study published in special cases. For sleep was published in during sleep. But those has to accomplish if learning makes the phe- in the journal Nature example, sleep learning 1914 by German psy- findings were debunked you want to learn Ger- nomenon useful for Communications, sub- could be useful when chologist Rosa Heine. in the 1950s, when sci- man or quantum me- people who want to jects were able to pick people need to change She found that learn- entists began to use chanics. shed a bad habit, like out complex sound a habit or alter stubborn ing new material in the EEG to monitor sleep Still, these findings smoking, or form new patterns that they had disturbing memories in evening before sleep brain waves. Research- have elevated sleep good ones. heard during sleep. cases of phobias and results in better recall ers found that if any learning from the cat- Multiple studies have Learning abilities in post-traumatic stress compared to learning learning had happened, egory of pipe dreams found that a basic form sleep may extend to the disorder. during the day. it was only because and put it back on sci- of learning, called con- learning of words. In a And some forms of Thanks to many stud- the stimuli had woken entists’ radar. ditioning, can happen study published in the implicit learning that ies done since then, we the participants. These “For decades the sci- during sleep. In a 2012 journal Current Biology may help in those situ- now know that sleep poor studies launched entific literature was study published in the in January, researchers ation may occur more is crucial for forming sleep learning into the saying sleep learning journal Nature Neuro- played pairs of made- strongly during sleep. long-term memories trash can of pseudosci- was impossible. So, science, for example, Is- up words and their The conditioning that raeli researchers found supposed meanings, happened in the smok- that people can learn to like that “guga” means ing and rotten egg study, associate sounds with elephant, to sleeping for example, doesn’t odors during sleep. The participants. After this, work well when done scientists played a tone when awake, the people during wakefulness. If to sleeping study par- performed better than you smoke every day ticipants while unleash- chance when they had near a garbage bin, you ing a nasty spoiled-fish to pick the right transla- know the two are unre- smell. Once awake, tion of made-up words lated, so you don’t link upon hearing the tone, in a multichoice test. them. We are not easily the people held their What all these stud- tricked when awake. breath in anticipation ies have in common is “But the sleeping of a bad smell. that they show an im- brain is not so smart, “This was a clear plicit form of memory. and we can manipu- finding showing hu- “It’s not some knowl- late it for our own mans can form new edge they’ll be able good,” Andrillion said. memories during to use spontaneously, “It sounds a lot like sleep,” said Andrillion, because they don’t the ‘Eternal Sunshine’ who was not involved know this knowledge is [movie], and this is still in that study. even there,” Andrillion ongoing work, but the Although the memo- said. “The question is, possibility is there.” ry was implicit, it could ‘Where do we go from Until then, remember affect the people’s be- there?’” that a good night’s sleep havior, researchers Learning a new lan- is already sleep learn- found in a 2014 study guage involves many ing at its best. Page 28 Sunday, March 31st, 2019 THE REPORTER

- Fun at the Belize Zoo! OUR NEW ZOO MEMBER: MILAGRO! urprised? Oh yes, vacy. And where was Papa Sextremely surprised Rex? Never far away. Rex about our pair of King was steadfast in his role as Vultures, Rex and Sally, guardian over both Sally bringing baby Milagro and her precious egg. Winery Mice! to our happy zoo world. When visitors viewed About two months ago, Rex as he majestically Sally did lay an egg, but perched on a high branch, given her age and the age he displayed behavior of her true love, Rex, it which could accurately be was looked upon as be- interpreted as BACK OFF. ing infertile. After all, in Having Milagro as our captivity, King Vultures newest zoo member is are known to live up to exciting and thrilling. The thirty years. baby King Vulture beauty This happy pair have is breathtaking. It will take been at the zoo since the Milagro five to six years late 1980s. Daddy Rex before being dressed in was captive bred in a zoo adult plumage. And within in the USA, and his mate, that time, Perfecto, young- Sally, was a gift from the ster number one, will join National Zoo in Salvador. Sally, Rex and Milagro to They have always enjoyed live as a happy vulture clan each other’s company, and here at the zoo. King vultures are stu- ancient Maya history is soaring above. And keep in 2006, did produce an impressive. They appear this in mind. While Sir egg which successfully pendously interesting birds. Yes, they are the on many Maya codices King Vulture is soaring, hatched. That youngster and for good reason. should you hold your we named Perfecto. But largest of all the New Valuable Lesson! World Vultures, but they They were believed to be fist up into the air, this when Sally and Rex began the messenger between mighty bird could see showing strong mating also have the largest skull and strongest bill. They human beings and the your clenched hand from behaviour, Perfecto was gods. What a lofty role a distance of two miles! moved to an enclosure off are tropical birds, living from Mexico down into the mighty King Vulture Being scavengers, King exhibit. His parents made played! Vultures, like all vultures, it very clear that he was northern Argentina. And when it gets too tropically Presently, the mag- clean up our environment not welcome while they nificent King Vulture is and assist in keeping dis- were in love mode. Sally hot, they have a perfect strategy to cool down. decreasing in number eases from occurring and laid her egg on the ground throughout its geographi- spreading. Beautiful. Im- near our walkway. She sat King Vultures use urohi- drosis as their personal air cal range. This is primar- portant. And a stunning on that egg and guarded it ily due to habitat destruc- part of the Natural Won- carefully. And to provide conditioning system. This means they defecate on tion. In Belize, near the ders of Belize. The King Sally a feeling of secu- Thousand Foot Falls in the Vulture! A close up view rity, we erected a bamboo their legs for a quick cool down. Mountain Pine Ridge, it of this unique raptor is fence so that Mama and is not uncommon to view always guaranteed at The egg could have a bit of pri- The role that the King Vulture has played in a King Vulture proudly Belize Zoo.

• There are about 220 different species of hibiscus in the world, and each variety differs C in size, shape, and color. • Hibiscus is native to warm temperate and tropical regions. It tend to grow in wet or swampy areas. O • The leaves are alternate, ovate to lanceolate, often with a toothed or lobed margin. • Hibiscuses are renowned for their large, showy flowers. The flowers are large, L conspicuous, trumpet-shaped, with five or more petals, colour from white to pink, red, orange, peach, yellow or purple, and from 4 to 18 cm (1.6 to 7 in) broad. • The fruit is a dry five-lobed capsule, containing several seeds in each lobe, which are O released when the capsule dehisces (splits open) at maturity. It is of red and white colors. • Hibiscus plants provide important ecological, aesthetic, culinary, and medicinal values. R • The most popular and conspicuous use for hibiscus flowers is decorative. Many species are grown for their showy flowers or used as landscape shrubs, and are used to attract butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds. • A tea made from hibiscus flowers is known by many names around the world and is served both hot and cold. The beverage is known for its red colour, tart flavour. It is rich in vitamin C, minerals, and antioxidants. M • The health benefits of hibiscus tea include its ability to treat high blood pressure and high cholesterol, helps in the treatment of hypertension and anxiety, helps fight bacteria, disturbed digestive and immune system, inflammatory problems and E liver diseases, as well as cancer. It can also speed up the metabolism and help in healthy, gradual weight loss. THE REPORTER Sunday, March 31st, 2019 Page 29 No Excuses A Lazy and Ineffective Budget business and personal this is really reflected in The problem with a priority to finally grow for our farmers. advance; and rededica- this budget. such an ineffective our middle class while It would also have tion to basic social pro- It does not plan for the budget is that it under- lifting up the poor. been nice to announce tection.” future. It does not plan mines the ability to re- Tough choices must a day care centre for But then he announced for any disasters and orient spending towards be made for budget government workers… that the larger portion what is not forecast will the poor; this stems from discipline, because any Nope, we did not get of his 1.2-billion-dollar not materialize. political reluctance to and all ill-disciplined that either. budget will go to even The building of roads recognise the need for approaches to the na- It would have given more infrastructural pro- and bridges is good for sustainable, better pay- tional budget in months me particular pleasure jects, namely roads and any developing country, ing jobs for our people. nearing election will be to hear that after 2 plus bridges. That is a scary but the kickbacks and They ignore the need to detrimental to his Party, years of a broken Air- budget. the low quality of pro- protect our industries by if in fact he had one Conditioning unit at the Nefretery Marin It is in fact a very lazy jects topped off by all cutting down on imports last miracle to his name San Ignacio Policlinic, cash-based budget; it the engineering mistakes that compete with our (which I highly doubt). we would get that fixed - that more of our villages n March 15th, does not give us the full they try to hide from the local produce and prod- There are no simple would be getting new 2019 Prime Min- picture. The PM has public will be too much ucts. They fail to attract solutions, and none of O health clinics, but no, ister Dean Barrow pre- failed to explain in his for our people to pay new investors for the us have all the right an- that was not important sented Belize’s National budget how he plans to back; especially when creation of industries, swers; though a strong either. Budget for 2019 -2020, service our liabilities. presented with such an training and education. common-sense ap- I believe that with under a fantastic title; We must not forget the ineffective and unsus- The Prime Minister proach could have sug- such a rise in hideous “Moving ahead with bond, Mr. Ashcroft, Ven- tainable national budget. does not seem to un- gested that this UDP crime around our coun- strong and steady eco- ezuela, the new loans There is no invest- derstand that while we government is aware of try, it would have given nomic growth; expend- and all the other debts ment in industries and protect our local enter- the implications of the us a “particular pleas- ing of opportunities for we still have. None of in people. prise, we must make it choices they are making on behalf of our ure” to hear that our people… PM would have a state Still, the fragility of of the art Forensic Lab the commitment to in- and training for Forensic vest in our people is investigators; but no… evident in all of the pag- Sorry Belize the Cara- es upon pages of this col road and bridges are budget. more important than As far as I am con- human life. They are cerned, Belize’s public more important than expenditure must better justice, more important serve the interests of our than health and certainly people before we can more important than say we have a healthy your jobs to feed your economy. To achieve families. this, however, we des- Prime Minister Bar- perately need political row, the hardships we will to confront difficult are facing are real. They choices as it relates to are difficult, and they are necessary and unneces- embarrassing for your sary spending. government. The PM is very proud When families can- of his paved roads but not eat 3 healthy meals has failed in quality con- per day, or our children trol which will result in must drop out of school much more deaths on because we cannot pay our highways. In their the tuition…when a boy attempt to keep all the must choose between money for their fami- practicing a sport he lies and cronies and to loves or going to school collect kickbacks, they because he only has one have forgotten the im- pair of shoes for the portance of human life. I year…but your children strongly advise Belize to have shoes for each out- keep a close eye on the fit…that Prime Minister, Iguana Creek junction is UNACCEPTABLE! and the road leading to When families cannot San Antonio, in Cayo. afford basic needs like They spoke of build- water and electricity, ing new schools but or cannot afford much have forgotten to main- more than Ramen; when tain what we already a mother carries her two have. I saw no invest- month old baby on her ments in new programs back to pick beans in for our High Schools or a field to make ends colleges. I would have meet and she has an As- loved to hear that we sociate’s Degree tucked will invest in Science away in her drawer out and Technology, in Art of embarrassment… and in Music…no such Prime Minister Barrow, luck for our students. when these things are It would have been happening and you are good to learn of a new proud of your Budget, canning factory, or new this means you are not fit incentives for local to lead. You have failed farmers…no such luck our people! Page 30 Sunday, March 31st, 2019 THE REPORTER INSIGHTS PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION: WHAT WILL IT TAKE TO FIX IT? owned is treated as a political football and as an reportedly somewhere in this range. “Most of the public The Honourable Edmond Castro has been the transport buses in Belize opportunity to facilitate political supporters, never mind their lack of talent. Minister with direct responsibility for transport are old school buses im- since the UDP’s 2012 victory but the PM chose ported from the USA with Belize needs a decent, well structured, efficient and affordable national transportation system. In to manage the CNTMP through his own office. an average age of 25 years Why that was remains a mystery but suffice to say and about 80% are diesel. fact GOB’s own study [the CNTMP] revealed that “there is a necessity of an overall restructur- that the public transport sector has not improved The bus service is very much under Castro’s leadership. In fact, if we are basic: seating is not very ing of the public transport sector.” The government of Belize should restructure, with urgency, to believe the bus operators who appeared on na- comfortable, air-condi- tional TV last week, it appears to be getting worst. tioning is not available, the public transport sector. It should build a new Major Lloyd Jones network including new, more efficient buses and The operators are of this view because only last (Ret’d) and they lack facilities week news broke that Minister Castro granted per- to handle luggage. The terminals and then offer it to the private sector for management and operations. Such a system would mission for a Guatemalan bus company to operate old buses are relatively inside Belize. Apart from the fact that Castro may cheap; however, this results in frequent failures, yield great dividends for the Belizean people, not so much in monetary terms but in terms of ease be attempting to usurp the statutory powers of the high maintenance costs, high emissions and high Transport Board, the authorization of Guatemalans consumption of fuel.” of access to affordable decent public transport, reduced greenhouse gas emissions and greater to operate buses inside of Belize does not bode -- Comprehensive National Transportation well for Belizean operators currently in the market. Master Plan, 17th April 2018. energy security among others. It has been almost twelve years since the Barrow The Government spent almost $2 million on a In May 2018 the Government of Belize [GOB] transport study and it would be such a waste if they launched its Comprehensive National Transporta- administration came to power, more than enough time to have built for us a decent public trans- were to allow it to gather dust. Access to decent, tion Master Plan [CNTMP]. GOB had awarded, safe, affordable and reliable public transport is through the Office of the Prime Minister, a con- portation system that preserves the dignity of the Belizean commuter. An adequate transportation critical to Belize development. In that context, it tract for ~$1.76 million to a French/Mexican really is a shame that we have settled for this patch consortium to write the said Plan for us. Yes, we network would only cost about $35 million, not an exorbitant amount of money when you consider work that is our national public transportation net- paid foreign consultants almost $2 million for work. What will it take to fix it Edmond? What? a 550 page report that could have been done by that the legal fees paid out in respect of BTL was Belizeans. Almost thirty-eight years after our independence, Belize’s public transportation system is in a mess. The system is full of old dilapidated buses and there are no decent bus terminals and worse; passengers still have to literally fight to get on the bus [which significantly disadvantages women, the elderly and children]. The entire public transportation network [both municipal and inter-District] is owned by the private sector. According to the CNTMP “Most public bus companies in Belize are very small, operating by an owner operator or a family-type operation. Thirty-nine percent (39%) of the companies operate only one bus, forty-seven percent (47%) operate with two (2) to five (5) buses. Com- panies operating ten (10) buses or more account for only four percent (4%) of the companies.” There can be no doubt that the public transportation network lacks sufficient investments. But the current statutory framework does all but encourage investments by the private sector. In fact, Road Service Permits have become political treats that are granted only to loyal Party supporters. If one loses favour with the ruling Party one’s Road Service Permit can get pulled post-haste. In that kind of environment, who will invest in decent buses, which can run well north of $75,000 each, when they have to walk the political plank for a permit every two years? Another factor that has impacted the award of Road Service Permits is the unwritten duty to provide transportation to the ruling Party whenever there are Party activities. In fact word on the street is that bus owners [including those with school runs] have already been told that they MUST provide transportation for the ruling Party come referendum day. Party mobility therefore trumps your right to decent affordable public transportation. As long as bus owners dutifully provide transportation for Party activities, they can get away with anything including refuelling with passengers onboard, operating with onion skin tires, drunken drivers, overcrowding, reckless driving, etc. In the latter part of the Musa administration there was an attempt to consolidate the public bus system into a national bus service through the Novelo brothers. That effort led to the scandal at the DFC; the Novelo Brothers would later fold and the DFC, if we are to believe the reports, was left holding the bag. No national bus service, no $15 million. The idea of a national bus service is not a bad one although the DFC debacle has left a bad taste in the mouths of the Belizean people. Our challenge in Belize is that everything that is publicly THE REPORTER Sunday, March 31st, 2019 Page 31 Sober Reflections

Rumlittle stupid demon & Deaththere, but I’m final- a future. It’s a lazy those plans, all the There was another voice saying – your Sunday, so you go possibilities and po- video shared over the ly starting to think kids have left, go hang out with some tential – gone. weekend, of a man that my priorities are for a drive. Go see friends, maybe drink You know what’s caught up in a twisted kinda, maybe, sorta what’s happening in a little or a lot, swim left? Pictures of you heap of metal after he getting to be in the the city. Aren’t you a little, chill a lit- all over social media crashed his vehicle. right place. And did thirsty? I haven’t tle. Your whole life – sprawled on the The Fire Department I mention…I want gotten this old and ahead of you. Head- road, dead. There’s had to bring in the to live. decrepit without ing home on a motor- no dignity in such a Jaws of Life to get I also realize, in knowing exactly cycle, breeze in your death, and the peo- him out. And he’s these my twilight what that means, and hair, holding on to ple on social media there, on his back, years, that I can’t use exactly what it would your baby, thinking who will share your somehow…God only alcohol as a crutch Mike Rudon Jr. have led to. I don’t about a little cuddle photo don’t care. knows how he ended anymore. Maybe I know that I would later. Life is pretty Your corpse will be up there in that posi- finally reached pu- was relaxing have gone. But then damned perfect. And displayed just as it tion. So the medic berty, but I’m now I home when I got I heard about the ac- then BAM, it’s done. is. If you fell with responding says Sir, mature enough to the news of an acci- cident. Gone in the blink of your legs sprawled were you drinking? understand that life dent on the road. Ac- Check out this an eye. The motor- wide open, we’ll all And he says - just a will deal out some tually, I was relaxing scenario. You’re a cycle crashes into a see it. We’ll see your bit. I cringed. terrible blows. There home, but there was couple in love. Just cement divider on broken body, your I’m not being judg- are people who will this demon at the got engaged. May- the road. And just blood and other flu- mental at all. I’ve push every button corner of my mind be already talking like that it’s done. ids puddled beneath been there. A lot of there is to push. lurking, with his about kids. Planning All those dreams, all your body. us have, even those There are people who who are always the will hate you. There first to throw the big- are people who will gest stones. It’s a make it their life’s huge problem in Be- mission to bring you lize. There is pretty down. There will be much no enforcement bad times. There will of any laws when it be truly awful times. comes to drinking There will be heart- and driving. Trust ache and heartbreak. me on this. I’ve driv- There will be sad- en high. I’ve driven ness and loss and drunk. I’ve driven grief. And you’ll get home without re- knocked down and membering the drive turned around – even home – no clue how I knocked out. But it got inside. Read this can’t be an excuse and shake your head to drink. Drinking if you like. But I’m makes everything betting you’ve been that is bad, worse. there too. Because Trust me. I may not I’ve seen you at the know it all. I may bars I frequent. And not even know much. I’ve seen your vehi- But this I know. cles parked in front Let me leave you of the clubs and mil- with this. If you’re lions of shops which one of my faith- sell liquor. I’ve seen ful seven readers, you out at the park you’ll probably see with your elephant this Thursday night foot. or Friday, may- I’ve also seen be even later. Just you kill people on think. That’s all. If the roads. And I’ve the mess I’ve made seen you die terrible of my life serves deaths. I’ve seen you as a lesson for you, rip lives apart. And it’s all good. But I’ve seen you destroy look around at what your own lives. I’ve you have. See the been there. I know. good in life. If you Sometimes I wish have kids, hold them I had the answers. close. Read a book And I don’t. I’m sit- with them. Go play ting here and I just in the park. Go take don’t know. Alcohol them to Yogobean is an unforgiving, for some frozen yo- evil mistress. But ghurt. Go exercise. there is one thing I Spend some time do know. I’ve gotten with your signifi- through the worst of cant other. Have sex. it. And I’ve reached Have a lot of sex if the point where I’m you want. Too much learning to deal with even. Or just cud- the hits. There was a dle. Tell the people time when I longed you love, that you for the freedom of the love them. There is weekend so I could so much more to life drink. Now I long than rum. Go look for my kids. It took for it. Find it. And me a while to get live. The End. Page 32 Sunday, March 31st, 2019 THE REPORTER THE REPORTER Sunday, March 31st, 2019 Page 33 BEL Consults on Caye Caulker Electrification Wednesday, March 27, 2019 By Michelle Sutherland he Belize Elec- Ttricity Limited has completed its Feasibility Study and has submitted its Environmental and Social Impact Assess- ment (ESIA) Report to the Department of the Environment with re- gards to the installation of submarine cables to connect Caye Caulker to the national electric- supply that Caye Caulker Catholic School and the ity grid. would need. So it’s plan- feedback from over 90 The proposed project ning for the future and residents who attended is estimated at fifteen also taking the environ- the event was overall million Belize Dollars ment into consideration.” positive. The residents and if approved will Petzold explained that had minor questions sur- see the installation of with the proposed project rounding the construction underground/underwa- the company hopes to phase as it relates to the ter cables installed ap- reduce noise and air pol- environment, but overall proximately six miles lution from diesel gen- they seem comfortable from southern Ambergris erators, eliminate the risk enough to move forward Caye to Northern Caye associated with transport- with the new upgrade. Caulker, traversing along ing diesel to the island Petzold theorized that the Hol Chan Marine and reduce generation the public's encourage- Reserve. cost by three million to ment with the projects Currently, the island four million dollars an- stems from the compa- of Caye Caulker relies nually. ny's successful installa- on diesel powered gen- As it relates to any tion of submarine cables erators for electricity and environmental concerns, to the island of San Pedro according to BEL Project Petzold explained that in 1998, with which the Manager Kevin Petzold, the company is very re- island has seen a dra- there are multiple reasons sponsible and has been matic reduction in power for the much-needed up- in close contact with outages. grade - "There are two the managers of the Hol The utility company reasons…the growth of Chan Marine Reserve for is currently hosting an Caye Caulker in terms of regular consultation and open public consultation their tourism and the gen- inputs. period and is asking for eral growth and also, it’s According to Petzold, the public’s input on the not sustainable to keep on March 21st the com- proposed project. The the generators running pany also held a pub- consultation phase will to provide the kind of lic consultation at the be closed on April 1st, Caye Caulker Roman 2019. Referendum Realities Say yes at the Referendum by the United Nations rists will study Guate- to settle such territo- malan claims and Be- rial claims by nations, lize’s independence which are members of with territorial integrity. the United Nations. Belizeans do not have The ICJ has settled anything to worry about over a hundred such because our case is iron- claims between nations clad by the 1859 Bound- of the world. The ICJ ary Treaty of 1859 and Alejandro Vernon judgements are either in followed by Guatemala’s a legal opinion or a bind- acknowledgement in the f Belize belongs ing judgement. Where 1931 treaty. Ito us, why are we two nations sign for a The ICJ will uphold afraid to go to a court of legal opinion the nation the Maritime Areas Act law to settle Guatemala’s that is culpable does which is dividing the ter- claim? not have to abide by the ritorial waters between If your neighbor is court’s decision (as it Belize and Guatemala molesting you in a town usually happens where down at the south stem- or city, you go to a court’s the big USA is culpable). ming from the mouth magistrate with a sum- But a binding decision of the Sarstoon to the mons in hand to settle the has to comply with by a Sapodilla Cayes and the molestation. nation that loses in adju- ICJ will also uphold the The Magistrate will dication. river border at the mid examine the Title and If the loser does not channel, going from the the Surveyor’s Plan and comply with the ICJ’s mouth of the Sarstoon cement pegs to ascertain decision, then the United to Gracias a Dios ( as whether the lot is yours Nations Security Council the 1859 border treaty and order the police to will assist the winner by stipulates). Therefore we protect you. providing Peace Keeping have nothing to worry We go to the court of Forces along the borders about if we vote “yes” at law, the International and/or impose sanctions the referendum. Court of Justice (ICJ) against the losing nation. Vote Yes At The Ref- that has been established At the ICJ the 15 ju- erendum! Page 34 Sunday, March 31st, 2019 THE REPORTER What to Know About the No By: Osmany Salas over us. law experts (some of I love Belize, every Another question: views are based on the whom were former square inch of it – just Guatemala, so what’s comprehensive legal the “rush” now to go to Since there is no such judges on the ICJ) to like the naysayers do. thing as an “ironclad” opinions, as I have stat- make inaccurate state- The main difference the ICJ? ed before. According There is no rush at case, how much risk are ments or purposely is that I have not al- we willing to accept? to the Secretary Gen- take statements out of lowed other factors to all. We have been try- eral of the Common- ing to get rid of the How sure are we that context to instill doubt, cloud my judgment we will win with our wealth, all of our 52 uncertainty and some and conscience in re- Claim ever since In- fellow Commonwealth dependence, and the territory intact? 95%? measure of fear among lation to the strength 90%? 80%? nations have studied our citizenry. of our case. There are British for many years our legal position and before us. The main I will never say that The leading naysay- many areas of gover- our case is “ironclad.” concur that Guatemala ers have allowed other nance that need urgent difference is that the can gain no Belizean British were willing to There will be no “slam factors that have noth- attention. But this ref- dunk.” Before the territory at the ICJ. ing to do with the facts erendum should not be give away territory to And a third question: Guatemala, while In- No camp starts get- of the case to be ex- used to send a message s we approach ting their knickers in a If Guatemala knows ploited in order to ad- to the government be- dependent Belize said: it does not stand a AReferendum Never! No land ces- bunch, let me explain. vance their campaign cause this referendum Day, anxiety and mis- If we vote to go to the chance, why are they principally against the is not about the govern- sion! so adamant to go to the information levels in We have Guatemala ICJ, we will request government. These ment. It is not about the our country are nearly the ICJ “to determine ICJ now? other factors do need Red or the Blue. It is where we want them: It is important to as high as the days to settle the Claim but the boundaries” be- to be properly venti- about Belize and it is leading to Indepen- tween the respective recognize that it took lated especially with a for Belize. The legal only in accordance Guatemala many years dence Day almost with international law territories and areas of General Election loom- facts are on our side. 40 years ago. A big Belize and Guatemala. to agree to go to the ICJ ing, but not as part of I was born in this based on legal facts under Article #38(1), chunk of our popu- of treaties, effective The ICJ has no option this national referen- country. I will live all lation was rightfully other than to rule that which is on legal dum. This referendum my life in this country. occupation and self grounds only. While I afraid and concerned in determination. And this our terrestrial (land and should be based on the I will die in this coun- the months leading to insular) territory as we could state some rea- facts of the question try. I want to live to see can only be done if we sons why I believe that our Independence. We vote YES. As I wrote in know it belongs to us. of Guatemala’s un- the day when we are in were about to venture International law is on Guatemala has finally founded claim and not peace with our neigh- a previous article, the agreed, I won’t do so into the unknown and Hudson legal opinion our side. Where things as a litmus test against bours. At one point, Guatemala was still will get interesting is because it is imma- our government. Mexico could possibly (1950) advised Gua- terial why they have vehemently opposing temala that their case in the determination Imagine if that was have had a valid claim our Independence. of maritime territory agreed to go to the ICJ. done back in 1981; we over part or all of our would be very weak All I care about is that Belize was late to ("legally desperate") if in our southern waters; probably would still territory. That is now get its Independence. but even there inter- I know why I want Be- be a colony or over- for the history books it went to the ICJ under lize to go. That is what Most of our Caribbean Article #38(1). Hence, national law is on our seas territory of the because Mexico rec- sister-nations gained side, as well as on the is important to me. We United Kingdom. The ognizes our northern it is a huge feather in must fight at the ICJ their Independence in Belize’s cap that Gua- side of Guatemala and UDP government of border and has no pre- the 1960s. Ours came Honduras. According with the same rigour the time led the charge tensions over any part temala has been con- and determination about almost 20 years vinced to take their to the United Nations against Independence. of our territory. Mexico later mostly because Convention on the Law with which we fought The PUP government is a good friend, neigh- Claim to the ICJ under for our Independence. of Guatemala’s claim. Article #38(1). of the Sea (UNCLOS), back then forged ahead bour and ally. I want Our colonial masters countries that have a That is where we need under the leadership the same relationship At the risk of being to take the fight. Our wanted to get rid of us called naïve or shallow- coast must have ter- of George Price and with Guatemala. How- long before 1981 and ritorial sea and an Ex- weapons will be our gained Belize’s Inde- ever, Guatemala is no minded (or worse!) by strong legal standing; preferred to settle the the naysayers, I am clusive Economic Zone pendence. The people Mexico. Guatemala’s claim prior to giving (EEZ). Currently, there our border treaties; the of Belize despite their political leaders will convinced without a fact that Guatemala us our Independence, shadow of a doubt that is no fixed delimita- uncertainty and con- never agree on their even if settling meant tion of our maritime has never administered cerns did not block the own to drop the Claim we will lose no territory any part of our terri- that they would cede if we go to the ICJ on boundaries. The ICJ process. Rather, any unless Belize cedes some territory to Gua- will therefore conduct tory; the fact that the protests or statements some territory, which the terms which both world (via the United temala! It is only be- countries have agreed a very careful and me- against the government we will never do. cause of George Cadle ticulous analysis in or- Nations) recognizes were expressed at the As an independent to. I base my position our territorial integrity, Price and his govern- on the extensive legal der to determine the 1984 General Elec- nation, it is our moral ment that we are inde- maritime boundaries sovereignty and right tion when the PUP was duty and obligation to opinions that I have to self-determination; pendent today with our read, commissioned by in the Bay of Amatique voted out. National take the fight to Gua- borders as we know it. shared by Belize, Gua- and past ICJ rulings issues, in this case get- temala, so that their Belize and Guatemala. that are completely in We achieved that Some people say that temala and Honduras. ting rid of Guatemala’s anachronistic claim is most important of It is for this reason that our favour. These are Claim, should never struck down. We suc- we should not ignore our weapons of war. milestones because of history. I agree. And we it is a fallacy by the be politicized because cessfully fought the patriotism, national- naysayers when they Guatemala will stand it only causes confu- Goliaths once before, have not. In addition no chance! ism, and bold and de- to the treaties, interna- ask what percent risk sion, mistrust and un- and we can do so again, termined leadership. we are prepared to ac- It appears the nay- certainty among our this time at the ICJ! tional law considers ef- sayers are simply nit- We took that bold, fective occupation and cept. It is not as simple citizens. Opportunists Note: The views ex- brave move and be- as that. picking at areas of politicize national is- pressed in this article history shows clearly these extensive legal came an independent that Guatemala has I therefore condemn sues to advance their are not necessarily the nation despite the fact the risk assessment opinions written by personal agendas. views of the Belize never occupied Belize. leading international that Guatemala’s claim The ICJ will rule based question, because all Network of NGOs. continued to exist. on international law it does is ignore the Almost 38 years lat- and the very history of facts and sow confu- er, Guatemala’s claim Belize and Guatemala sion, doubt and fear. continues to hang over also vindicates our le- It is nothing short of our collective heads. gal position. The dis- disgraceful when intel- That Claim hammers tinguished jurists who ligent people choose at our national psyche wrote the various legal to muddy the waters – the Claim is always opinions extensively instead of arming them- lurking and tugs at our researched the avail- selves with the facts national soul, whether able historical records and responsibly con- we admit it or not. and determined that tributing to the public A question that the we need not worry. We conversation. I choose naysayers tend to ask: have a solid case. If to share my fact-based We’ve managed for 38 we vote No, the Claim views (for whosoever years to live alongside will continue to hang cares to read them). My THE REPORTER Sunday, March 31st, 2019 Page 35 THE NEGATIVE OF BEING POSITIVE Dr. Abigail Joseph a daily basis. For me The atmosphere is made you better than idea that "I'm young was doing, however as a physician I have never a pleasant one them? Why do we feel and it won’t happen to he came up to the door come to terms with the where HIV/AIDS is that we are better than me" and the thought of and asked for a glass ugly faces of HIV and concerned and no one them? Have you not "weh yuh noh know, of water. The owner of have seen it in all ranks ever wants to address considered that maybe nuh gwein kill yuh." the house went to the of life. I've watched the situation at hand. He or SHE was not to Well let me break cabinet and got the old- patients deny having The truth is, we all blame? Not everyone down some sad news est glass there was and this disease. I've felt have an idea of what that is affected played for you. We live in a after granting the man the hatred towards me it is but no one has a role in their infection. country with limited his wish took the glass of having to tell them considered the gravity Many people within resources. It is by the and placed it in exile. the news - as if I were and domino effect our this country were in- grace of God that the When I asked about to blame or was the reaction and behav- fected not so long ago treatment for these pa- why the glass was not one who rigged the lab iour will produce in by soiled blood trans- tients is free and to be washed or placed along results. the not so far future. fusions. Many people frank while the entire with the other glasses, I have seen sadness GONE are the days have been infected world has access to the person responded in the eyes of faithful when HIV/AIDS was through the selfish act several types we have quickly, stating, "dah "Sticks and Stones women that were preg- believed to be a dis- and CRIME of an un- a limited combination. man have AIDS?" This will break my bones nant for the first time ease contracted solely faithful partner, several The reality is that is the reality of our but AIDS will never as I broke the news of by gay men. Gone are women infected after HIV is a virus that mu- society. Now that I affect me!" OK…let's being positive. I have the days when it was being raped and NOW tates and each infected am older and more in- throw it all out there - carried the weight on just a rare disease no many are BORN with person has a different formed of this disease NO ONE WANTS TO my shoulders of push- one knew nothing of. an infection they have strain of that virus. This I am able to look back TALK ABOUT HIV, ing mothers to keep Yes it is true that one no choice but to live fact can increase the at that scenario and MUCH LESS THINK their children on their of the riskiest ways of with. risk of drug resistance, see how stupid, igno- ABOUT IT OR EVEN medications and watch getting it is through un- Across the globe especially in patients rant and truly scornful CONSIDER THE them breast feed even protected sex but let’s more and more peo- with poor treatment society can be. AIDS PROBABILITY OF though we've recom- not fool ourselves in ple are being infected and difficulty with ad- cannot be contracted CONTRACTING. mended that they not assuming that it is the with this disease, BUT herence to medication. from a glass! But this Let's face it, HIV/ do so. I have watched only way. they still reserve the OUR response as a is what our children are AIDS is real and there selfish people chose to My heart aches as I right to have children. society plays a key role learning. I visited that is no going around it. not tell their partners look in the eyes of my Not all babies born to in whether a patient is house several times For me it gets all the of their infection, and patients and the way HIV mothers are born consistent with treat- as a child and I never more real every day watched as others con- other people who know positive, but a great ment or not. Infection questioned the glass when I go to work, tinue with their reck- about them stare, judge number of untreated rates are on the rise in exile. Now as an because the truth is less lifestyles, aiming and treat them. I had no mothers have infected in every district and adult, I pity the house- people are real and to infect as many as idea Jesus was recruit- babies. The stigma we whether we choose to hold that once tried to real people are being possible before they ing, for as far as I am have created as a soci- admit it or not, we are instil the same act of affected by this social themselves die from concerned only HE can ety has led people to pawns and contribut- ignorance in me. If as stigma and drama on their imminent fate. judge you or I. Who keep quiet about their ing factors to this rise. a society we were more condition, and has led We have managed to open to the idea of edu- some to be negligent single out a specific cating ourselves about in taking their medica- disease and made it HIV/AIDS we would tion and in not getting so repulsive that now better understand how tested. we have difficulty as a way out of proportion Where has this got- nation to treat it. Our we have blown this ten us? In 2015 31,346 stigma has drilled its situation and we would persons were tested. way to the very core realize that we are the 64% were females and of our nature, so much reason why people are 36% males. The out- so that we fail to re- not getting tested. come produced 239 alize that not talking IF as a nation we new cases. The large about it and not dealing were more kind heart- number of females that with it robs our future ed, understanding, and were tested in this time children of a fighting self-less, more people period was attributed chance. would get tested on a to the antenatal care Here is a bit of FOOD regular basis, even IF and testing that our FOR THOUGHT: our they are not at risk, health system provided stigma and behaviour but rather in an effort for all pregnant wom- towards HIV/AIDS to be supportive and en. However, the cases have led many infected breaking the barriers that are detected posi- mothers to keep the of thinking and believ- tive during pregnancy status of their children ing "we are better than is a serious indication a secret. So while it them.” IF we lifted of the unsafe sex that is safe to "assume" the stigma of getting is being practiced in that "it can't happen tested, and removed our society. Having ob- to YOU,” it does not the negativity about served this, it reflects make it any safer for being positive, more our need to capture your child who attends people would be open our younger popula- school and whose best to the idea of getting tion with preventative friend might be the tested, more families strategies before they child whose mother would be open to talk- start engaging in risky has been giving him or ing to their loved ones, behaviour. her medication under and more people would How can we encour- the disguise of daily tell their partners to age young people to vitamins! get tested. More peo- get tested or be open Why don't we stop ple would get treated to the idea of testing thriving on false as- sooner in life, reducing IF THE TREATMENT sumption and start the risk of transmission TOWARDS INFECT- educating ourselves? sexually, parentally ED PEOPLE IS RE- When I was a little girl, and vertically (sex, PULSIVE???!! It is I remember being at a blood, birth). In mak- not rocket science nor house where there was ing conscious choices, does it require a genius a man working in the life wouldn't be per- to answer that ques- yard. My memory fails fect but at least then, tion. The result is as it to remind me of what life would have better has always been: the it was this individual quality. Page 36 Sunday, March 31st, 2019 THE REPORTER Road to Referendum From the beginning till today: Belize’s history and the Claim Pt. II Julian Sherrard belonging to Britain! an agreement known as ion that British Hondu- Guatemala recog- 1821, till the Guatema- And here is where the the Exchange of Notes, ras got its independence nized Belize, and our lan Claim was born in Bringing the two “No” sayers jump in: reaffirming the 1859 from Spain on that day, mutual borders have 1947, Belize had lived stories together: The famous Article Treaty, restate that these September 10th, 1798! been officially in place in peace with its neigh- In 1825, the Brit- 7 of the 1859 Treaty Concrete Monuments From that very day till since the 1859 Treaty bor! From 1947 till our ish Superintendent of describes: a “commu- are Belize’s borders. now, Belize has admin- (though the 1859 Treaty Independence from Belize, described the nication” (read: trans- Britain in 1981, Gua- Sarstoon River as Be- portation link) to be On Paper and on Earth: The UK/Belize signed and ratified our temala and Belize have lize’s Southern bound- worked out together, been at logger heads ary and in 1857, Guate- between the “fittest first border treaty with Guatemala in 1859 (four years before Spain over Guatemala’s spu- mala’s Minister, Fran- place on the Atlan- would recognize the Republic of Guatemala). rious claim. And from sisco Martin, proposed tic” and the capital of 1981 until present day in London, a boundary Guatemala, by means 2019, Guatemala has treaty describing the of either a “cart road” So, to all the “No” istered itself, free from itself acknowledges Be- actively encouraged its boundaries of Belize or by “employing riv- sayers, consider this: Spanish (Spain/Guate- lize’s borders as having citizens and military to and including all our ers” or by both (think: how could Guatema- malan) influence. been in place prior “to disregard our borders islands, as they cur- the Sarstoon river la, or anyone, argue Keep in mind that January 1st, 1850!). and encroach on our rently stand in 2019. goes right up to the that the 1859 Treaty Guatemala did not And even though land. In exchange, Britain South-west corner of is invalid because the breakaway from Spain Article 7 of the 1859 How will going to would help Guatemala Belize and from that “communication”/”cart until 1821 and did not Treaty was not fulfilled, the ICJ change Gua- with protection from point, a cart road to road” was never built, become the Republic of the Exchange of Notes temala’s actions on Filibusters who could Guatemala city. All this and yet Guatemala Guatemala until 1847. of 1931 reaffirms those the ground? threaten Guatemala’s is for the “commerce of and Belize further re- On Paper and on borders. In all, Guate- From 1947 to present sovereignty.* Filibus- England” and the “pros- affirmed our mutual Earth: The UK/Belize mala recognized our day 2019, Guatemala teros were like Pirates perity of Guatemala” to borders and the 1859 signed and ratified our borders over 100 years has raised generations who would to invade increase. Treaty in 1931? first border treaty with ago (from prior to 1850, of their citizens to think a land to make their As it turns out, the ex- Here are some Guatemala in 1859 all the way to 1947). of Belize is theirs. Be- own country. William act aspects of the “com- points to consider: (four years before Spain So why this Claim? ing brainwashed with Walker, who invaded munication” (transport Belize was unoccu- would recognize the When Guatemala broke misinformation, starting Nicaragua in 1856, and link) could not be agreed pied: Whilst Spain laid Republic of Guatema- away from Spain, the at an early age, creates a later, Cecil Rohdes in on. So, in 1863, the year claim to the entire area la). In 1860&61, UK/ rich minority divided rabid conviction in Gua- Rhodesia, are examples. Spain finally recognized of Belize via Cristopher Belize-Guatemala met all the land between temalans, especially In 1859, the Anglo- Guatemala, Britain and Columbus’ “discovery” on-site and marked our themselves, leaving no those with little formal Guatemalan Treaty was Guatemala agreed to a of the New World, Be- mutual borders with land for the indigenous; and worldly education, signed and ratified (for supplementary agree- lize was empty of Old stone cairns. In 1863, the same indigenous that is hard to reverse. those who claim that ment, another Conven- World conquistadores the UK offered to give who have been there Additionally, having there might be secret tion of London, saying and pretty much empty £50,000 to Guatemala long before the Spanish a Constitution which treaties that will only that Britain would pay of New World Indig- as its contribution the even knew of the New makes it treasonous to come out if Belize goes Guatemala $50,000 enous, when Belize was “cart road” and gave World! discuss “giving up” Be- to the International pounds Sterling to do settled by the British in Guatemala up to 6 Over the years, when- lize, forces this Claim to Court of Justice (ICJ), away with the matter 1638. The great Maya months to decide. Gua- ever these poor landless live on in Guatemalan note well: for treaties of the “communication” Civilization having end- temala made no deci- indigenous peasants society. The only way to to be binding, they must transportation link. The ed in 800 and only a few sion, not a “yes” nor a would fight for “wa lee put a stop to this nega- be Ratified. That means, Agreement was to be small villages survived “no”. piece a land”, the rich tive cycle, is to prove the treaty has to be sent Ratified as soon as pos- to the point of contact Even so, in 1929, UK/ landowners would call Guatemala wrong on to the Senate (in Be- sible but in no more with the Old World. Belize-Guatemala met in the Guatemalan mili- the world stage at the lize’s case) and passed than 6 months. Well, One such village was on-site again and re- tary who would murder United Nations (UN), there. Therefore, there Guatemala got into a Tipu, near Black Rock placed the stone cairns and exterminate entire by having their justice cannot be any “secret war with El Salvador Resort in the Cayo Dis- with concrete pillars, villages and towns! arm, the International treaties” with Guate- and the Agreement was trict, Belize. then acknowledged the The Guatemalan Court of Justice (ICJ), mala!) never ratified. Battle of St George’s removal of the stone Labor Code of 1894 review and pass judge- This 1859 Treaty de- “No” sayers believe Caye: Whilst Britain cairns and placement of “created a new class of ment. marcates our borders as some part of the above had signed treaties with the concrete pillars in a landholders who lived The ICJ will, without they stand today (2019). breaks this 1859 treaty. Spain agreeing that the treaty in 1931. off the exploited labor a doubt, find Belize’s This treaty was signed The truth is that this British would only log Did you know of serfs. It remained 221 year possession of between Britain and in force until the over- this land, along with Guatemala. I remind throw of Jorge Ubico the border Treaty of you here that the Re- in 1944” (Woodward 1859, the joint physical public of Guatemala From 1947 to present day 2019, Guatemala has raised generations of their citizens to think of Belize is theirs. Being brainwashed with 1985, page 175). marking of the borders did not emerge from the With landless peas- (not once, but twice!) ashes of the Capitania misinformation, starting at an early age, creates a rabid conviction ants eventually get- and the reaffirming of General de Guatemala/ in Guatemalans, especially those with little formal and worldly ting the right to vote in those border markers in Federal Republic of education, that is hard to reverse. 1945, and Guatemalan 1931, to be more than Central America, until politicians trying to enough evidence to dis- 1847. And we are at court those votes, the pel Guatemala’s Claim a point in this history, treaty lives on! How the area, the British that the Guatemalan indigenous gained the and set Belize free of where Guatemala and can I prove it? In just a eventually settled. As a Claim only started in power to demand land. this drag on our spirits Britain are negotiating minute… result, Spain sent troops 1946? But rather than the and our economy, once Belize’s border without Following the 1859 to dislodge the Brit- Belize, our case is complications of trying and for all! Spain, taking note that Treaty, in 1860 and ish and dislodged them clear: Our forefathers, to get rich Guatemalans How will you Vote Spain would not recog- 1861, officials from several times. Spain the men of British Hon- to give up land they on April 10th, 2019? nize Guatemala 1863, both countries met and even took some of the duras/Belize, represent- had possessed for over It is my hope that, four years after this trea- erected Stone Cairns at British, and their slaves, ed on our Belize flag 100 years, the politi- with the information ty was ratified. Why is the points of our borders prisoner, but the British and no doubt supported cians came up with a presented above, you this important? Because as described in 1857 kept coming back and by our women, fought great plan of distract will find the answers to presently, Guatemala and 1859. Then, of- resettling. In a final at- and beat Spain for this and redirect:”Belice many questions you’ve claims it inherited the ficials from both coun- tempt to dislodge the land, and have lived on es nuestro (Belize is been asking or think- “claim” from Spain, tries met again in 1929 British, Spain’s troops, this land, undisputed ours)” and if you vote ing of. but you can see clearly and together, replaced sent from the Fort in by Spain since 1798. for me, I will get it back I invite you to join me that Guatemala, as a the stone cairns with Bacalar, Mexico, were That’s 221 years! The and you can have your in Voting YES and let us country independent concrete monuments. beaten and Spain never Republic of Guatemala land. settle this ridiculous and from Spain, is recogniz- THEN, in 1931, Gua- again attacked Belize. itself is only 156 years And so, from Gua- unfounded claim, “fu wi ing Belize as a country temala and Belize, in As such, it is my opin- old. temala’s first birth in pikni and wi future!” THE REPORTER Sunday, March 31st, 2019 Page 37 have been doing so up until today. The morgue is still under repair," the hospital official told us. Dr. Gutierrez added that when addressing any poten- Morgue Malfunction Causes tial malfunction, there are a series of tests that are carried out to determine if the morgue needs to be shut down, but that "the morgue would not be made dysfunctional Public Outrage while bodies are inside." Cont’d from pg. 1 The Regional Manager also said that the hospital ry of Health while contemplating other action. able about this whole ordeal is that you would think that when someone passes on, the people who are in charge administration understands the family's sentiments. She t Juliana Palacio Castillo died at the hospital on reiterated that the hospital called in the family from the March 14th, her daughter Karen Lewis told the Reporter would make the effort to give dignity and respect to someone's body. That was not the case here. This case Monday to ask them to take the body, suspecting that today. She said that when she arrived in Belize four days there was a problem. later on the 18th, she received word from her brother that was handled poorly. We're still hurting. It's emotional a nurse from the Southern Regional Hospital had called for us. It's unconscionable what we've experienced and earlier that day requesting that the family remove the I just pray that another family does not have to experi- body from the morgue because of spacing issues. Later ence what we've experienced." Dangriga Men that same day, another family member was summoned Southern Regional Manager, Dr. Franelda Gutierrez to the hospital morgue and was told that the body was told the Reporter late this evening the hospital's version Ambushed Inside decomposing and when that family member went to the of the events that unfolded around the situation. She morgue, she observed decomposition already setting in said that the Southern Regional Hospital suspected that and also that the freezer was not working. That relative there was a problem at the morgue on the Monday when Gungulung House reportedly informed the Hospital Administration, and their administration met with the family of the deceased Thursday, March 28, 2019 the following day there was a meeting between the and that the technician was immediately called in to By Michelle Sutherland family and the Administration, who she said assured assess the matter. He informed them that there was no them that there was no problem and that the freezer had technical malfunction, but that the issue at hand was arly on Wednesday morning as Belize City been plugged out because there was ice accumulating due to overcrowding. Eresidents were getting ready to start their workday, and the freezer needed to be plugged out intermittently. "That was addressed by asking family members to two gunman started theirs by sneaking into an elevated By the time the family was ready to bury their mother remove their family members and it was the expectation wooden home in the Gungulung Area of the city where on Friday, March 22nd, the undertaker who went to pre- that everything would normalize. However, thereafter they fatally shot a Dangriga man who was sleeping, and pare the body informed them that they could not have it was reported that bodies continued to deteriorate. At injured another. an open-casket funeral because the body was in such that point in time, suspecting that there was indeed a Just after 7:40 a.m. on March 27th, residents reported poor condition that it was swollen beyond recognition. technical malfunction, the bodies inside the morgue hearing about eight gunshots ring out in an alley con- Lewis said that this news brought about a whole dif- were transported to other facilities. Additional techni- nected only by London bridges. Shortly after, dogs were ferent level of grief for the family. "What is so unbeliev- cians were called in to assess and repair the morgue and heard barking in the neighborhood and two men were seen fleeing the area where the sounds of gunshots had been heard moments before. When concerned residents raced to the scene, inside a house they found the motionless body of one man later identified as Jordan Lorenzo, 22, wrapped up in a quilt and laying face up on a mattress inside the living room of the dwelling. Lorenzo had multiple bullet wounds to his body and succumbed to his injuries almost immediately. Further searches inside a bedroom uncovered a second victim, identified as Dangriga resident Rakeem Cruz, 17. Cruz was observed bleeding profusely from a gunshot wound to his right upper shoulder. On Thursday, ASP Alejandro Cowo, OC, Crimes In- vestigation Branch in Belize City confirmed that based on details gathered, Police have labeled the motive of the double shooting as a drug deal gone bad. Additionally, according to Cowo the residence where the shooting unfolded is frequented and used as a hub by persons of questionable character. "What Police have gathered is that both male persons had traveled from Dangriga to Belize City over the weekend and that they were staying with some friends in the CET Site area, however yesterday morning after 6:00, they went and stayed at that house while the other two friends left from there to do an errand. Upon their return they found the male person motionless and the other one injured," explained Cowo. When authorities flocked to the scene around 8:00 a.m., they extracted Cruz on a stretcher and placed him inside a waiting ambulance which transported him to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital for treatment. Police confirmed that the teen is recovering from his gunshot wound and is listed in a stable condition. Shortly after Cruz's departure, Police personnel re- versed a pickup into the tight alleyway and Lorenzo's body was removed from the scene and placed in the pan and was taken to the morgue. Authorities confirmed that they have detained two suspects and are currently questioning them in relation to the double shooting which left one man dead. Dangriga Police have also confirmed that both the deceased and the teenager have past criminal records. One Dead… One Critical in Dangriga Shooting Cont’d from pg. 1 critical condition. Officers are currently on the ground canvassing the latest murder scene and as soon as official details of the incident are released the Reporter will be posting those details on our Facebook and Website pages. Page 38 Sunday, March 31st, 2019 THE REPORTER Protectors Make Belize Proud Belize City, March 26, 2019 he Belize Protectors, the National Security Trelay team of long distance runners from the Police Department, the Belize Defense Force and the Coast Guard, made history by winning the 2019 Baker to Vegas relay hosted by the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) in the state of Nevada, United States on March 23-24. The runners clocked 12:49:44 over the 20 stages of the race to complete the 120-mile course, almost 10 minutes faster than their time last year: 12:59:10, to win the first place trophy, against a field of 285 law enforcement teams from all over the world! The Belize team finished 51 seconds ahead of the next best team, the LAPD who have won the event for the last seven years. But now the Belize Police Department’s name will be en- graved on the trophy which they brought home to Belize on Tuesday, March 26. The Belize Police Department rolled out a victory motorcade through the streets of Belize City, with lights flashing and sirens blaring to welcome home our conquering heroes, before a press conference at the Eastern Division headquarters on Queen Street. Senior Superintendent Linden Flowers said this was the Belize Police Depart- ment’s fifth year of participation in this event, and Belize had also placed first in the Mixed category in 2012, when they took a team including female runners, who finished sixth overall. Last year, the all-male team competed in the Open Men’s category, in which they placed second overall. He noted that the LAPD has far more manpower resources than all Belize’s security forces com- bined. Retired Brigadier General David Jones accompanied the team, and he described what it was like out on the road, where temperatures soared to over 100 degrees in the daytime, but fell to an extremely cold 51 degrees at night. The Belize team had trained on the road near Price Barracks, which is close to sea level, but in Nevada, they were running in thinner air with less oxygen at 5,317 feet above sea level. The course was uphill and down dale through very mountainous ter- rain, as they gradually descended to Las Vegas, which is still 2,000 feet above sea level. After 16 stages, they knew that they were behind, and the responsibility fell on the last four runners to make up the time. Ernesto Villafranco ran the anchor leg, and crossed the finish line seven seconds ahead of his nearest rival. When all the individual times were tallied, Belize was 51 seconds ahead of the field. Upon his return, Villafranco described the feeling of triumph as he had touched the trophy last year, and he had vowed that the team would bring home the prize this year. He now looks forward to training even harder to not only win again next year, but the runners now have their eyes set on breaking the time record for the event. Assistant Commissioner of Police Alden Dawson was also present to congratulate the team, saying it was indeed a proud moment, not just for the Department, but for Belize. He thanked the many corporate partners who had helped sponsor the team, including Mr. Leo Batty, who had paid the US$2,100 registration fee for their first year of participation, and all the following years. The Belize Tourist Board and the National Sports Council also helped sponsor the team. The team of 25 runners had been in training for over two months, and left Belize last Thursday, March 21. Along with Villafranco, the team included Albert Davis, Giovannie Baizar, Shemar “Mini” Thompson, Hector Carlos, Isaiah Lam- bey, Earl Cacho, Robert Sutherland, Alexander Lourie, Mauro Cucul, Clement Lambey, Peter Pou, Justin Trapp, Frederick Gordon Jr, Egbert Augustine, Justin Baptist, Rodmon Smith, Do- mingo Cal, Klubert Cal, Daniel Gregorio, Mark Serano, Isidoro Peck and Mike Saki. Team leader/ coach Winder Ellington and Mrs. Dee-Ancor Reyes accompanied the team as their medic/ physiotherapist. THE REPORTER Sunday, March 31st, 2019 Page 39 Bus Association Angry Over Foreign Runs Thursday, March 28, 2019 he Belize Bus Association is up in arms over Trevelations from two leaked letters that sur- faced last week showing that Minister of Transport Edmond Castro approved bus runs into Belize for two foreign bus companies, a Guatemalan and a Mexican company, which the association says is detrimental to Belizean bus operators. Spokesperson for the Belize Bus Association, Daren Stuart, told the Reporter that the association is expecting a response to their queries on the matter by Friday. He explained that the matter was brought to the attention of the Ministry last week, but they Edmund Castro Daren Stuart were given a week to respond. Stuart indicated that any other country and pick up commuters. It main- the country and insists that the Ministry review and if a response to the Association was not forthcoming tains that this agreement impacts all bus operators in reconsider the agreements. in sufficient time, the Association reserves the right to apply its terms of actions to bring about a resolution to the matter. Stuart would not share what kind of action the As- Officers Retrieve Firearm sociation has considered, but said he is hopeful the Ministry will revisit the controversial agreements and from Dangriga Canal consider making changes to the specifics and logistics Wednesday, March 27, 2019 of them, which he says puts Belizean bus companies resident Trevor Pascascio, also known as "Flash T.” at a disadvantage. By Michelle Sutherland But instead of stopping, Officers reported that they In the first letter, directed to Chief Transport Officer he commitment and work ethic of two Police- witnessed as Pascascio placed his hand in the front of Tirso Galvez, and dated November 30, 2017, Castro Tmen were put to the test over the weekend his pants and withdrew a firearm which he allegedly said he had given his support to Fuente del Norte from after they were forced to dive into a nearby canal tossed into the canal. Mexico to the bus line to enter terminals when travel- and retrieve a loaded weapon from the bottom of The cops reportedly got out of their vehicle and ing through Belize and to allow students traveling to the murky waters. The weapon had allegedly been managed to detain Pascascio, but a search on him the University of San Carlos as well as people travel- discarded by a fleeing suspect. did not uncover anything incriminating. However, ing for medical purposes outside the country to board According to a Police report, around 9:05 a.m. on in his presence, the Officers went into the canal and the bus. It noted that only those traveling outside the March 24th the two officers were on mobile patrol on executed searches for the firearm which he had al- country should be allowed to board the bus. Sabal Street in Dangriga Town when they noticed a legedly thrown there. That search led to the retrieval The second letter, dated March 5, 2019, also known individual, looking suspicious and riding on of a firearm. directed to Galvez, declared that Castro had given a bicycle near the canal side. The scene was processed by SOC technicians permission to the San Juan Travel Bus Corporation The officers noted that due to the individual's and the firearm was identified to be a .45mm caliber of Flores, Guatemala to come into Belize on a daily behavior at the time they suspected that something weapon, of an unknown brand and loaded with seven basis and pick up commuters traveling outside of the was amiss and so they drove up towards him and .45 mm live rounds. country. ordered him to stop so that they could carry out a Pascascio was taken into custody where he was This has drawn sharp criticism from the Association search on him. charged with "Kept Prohibited Firearm and "Kept which says its members are not allowed to travel to The Officers identified the individual as Dangriga Prohibited Ammunition."

Sunbrite Copy Paper ABOUT Sunbrite PRICES About Sunbrite Sunbrite is a wholly owned BOND PAPER subsidiary of Belize Paper Works 8 1/2 x 11 $85.00 Limited, the same company that 1 to 20 boxes owns The REPORTER PRESS. Sunbrite began to plan its Sunbrite, all purpose office paper is a 8 1/2 x 14 $55.00 operations in early 2014. But it Belizean product you will want to know about. box of 5 reams was not until January this year It comes in the regular sizes: that we were able to work out the 8 1/2 x 11; 8 1/2 x 14 and 11 x 17. 11 x 17 Printer’s size kinks, and began to produce cut 22 X 34 Shop Paper. paper for the Belize Market. . $22.00 a ream The thing that sets Sunbrite apart is that it is produced here in Belize. . We are located at No. 135 corner The paper is imported, of course . It comes in NEWSPRINT West and Basra Streets, next large half-ton rolls, and is cut, sized to precise door to St. John’s Credit Union. dimensions and packaged in Belize. 22 X 34 Shop Paper Tel: 227-2503. It is produced and packaged using Belizean $40.00 a ream labour and skill. The paper is #20 bond, 85 GSM We have a special discount and 98% whiteness, equal in quality to the imported product. And the price is something price on box of 10 reams for you will want to take into account when you ALL OUR PRICES INCLUDE GST schools and colleges for $80.00. are trying to trim costs. . Page 40 Sunday, March 31st, 2019 THE REPORTER