1 week ago
5
RADHICA DE SILVA
Senior Multimedia Reporter
Opposition Leader Pennelope Beckles has raised questions about the decision to send the Regiment’s commanding officer on vacation before quickly recalling him, shortages of supplies at Staubles Bay, and the Government’s handling of security during the ongoing State of Emergency (SoE).
Speaking at a People’s National Movement (PNM) meeting at the Pleasantville Community Centre on Tuesday, Beckles questioned whether Minister of Defence Wayne Sturge had directed Chief of Defence Staff Air Vice Marshal Darryl Daniel to remove Regiment Commanding Officer Colonel Keston Charles by placing him on 605 days’ leave. She suggested the move could have cleared the way for Lt Col Dwayne Edwards, who acted during the short-lived period of Charles’ absence, to be promoted ahead of 12 more senior officers.
“The question arises, where was the Public Service Commission in all of this?” Beckles asked.
“But we are asking the Honourable Prime Minister to explain tonight why you sent him home for 605 days and call him back in one week. Because people of Trinidad and Tobago need to be assured that they are in control of issues related to security in our country, especially during a state of emergency.”
While the information on the decision made regarding Charles has been circulating for days, the Defence Force has not issued any information on the matter.
Beckles also pressed for confirmation that the military base has the necessary resources.
“Now, T&T is a small place, and one of the things that people get upset about, especially men working in the security industry, is when you don’t have food to eat,” she said.
She alleged that officers stationed at Staubles Bay—where 12 high-risk prisoners are now being held—are not receiving adequate rations.
“Down there in Staubles Bay, the ration is short,” she said.
“I want them to come tomorrow and say that is not true. I want them to come and say whether they have stationery and all the appropriate resources down in Staubles Bay.”
She claimed the Government was trying to create a certain perception of the prison system.
“They want to give the whole world the impression that our prison in Golden Grove is everything wrong with it, so you have to take them to Staubles Bay, but you are not feeding our Regiment,” she said.
Beckles emphasised that the Opposition had supported the SoE because “country comes first.” However, she accused Government of undermining independent State bodies and warned of further moves against top offices.
“Anytime they tell you somebody votes against them in the Senate, once you vote against them, they want to get rid of you,” she said.
“They are coming for the President. At the rate they are going, they are coming for the Judiciary. Anybody who doesn’t support them, they want to get rid of them.”
She pledged that the Opposition would continue to resist such actions.
“We will protect institutions. Be mindful that every institution—this Government, whether it’s senators, every single institution, whether Police Service Commission, PCA—they are going for everybody, and ask yourself if you are not next,” she said.
Ten high-profile inmates—all facing murder and other serious charges—were moved from the Maximum Security Prison to Staubles Bay and other military facilities shortly after the SoE was declared on July 18. Three more MSP prisoners were subsequently transferred to Chaguaramas last week.
Guardian Media reached out to Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar and Defence Minister Wayne Sturge for comment but there was no response up to press time.
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