7 News Belize

Soldier’s Mother Learned of His Death on Facebook
posted (March 2, 2020)

For many Belizeans, it has been a weekend of sadness over the death of four soldiers in a helicopter crash, and confusion over the very unclear circumstances of their demise. 

And, in the middle of all that doubt, there are dozens of conspiracy theories seemingly on eternal loop in the social media echo chamber. 

But, at the root of all this are the families of Major Adran Ramirez and Major Radford Baizar, Corporal Yassir Mendez and Corporal Reinaldo Choco. They are the ones most struggling with the loss of these soldiers.

On Friday, we showed you that Major Baizar's mother in Belize city had not been informed of her son's death by the BDF.Well, it's the same in PG for Corporal Reinaldo Choco's mother, Sylvana.  She told PGTV that she found out about her son's demise through social media.

Reporter
"Can you tell us, how did you receive the information about the death of your son?"

Sylvana Choco- Mother of Reinaldo Choco
"Through Facebook I got the information."

Reporter
"When was this, when did you see this through Facebook?"

Sylvana Choco
"Friday, I think about 11:30."

Reporter
"So, no one from the department, from national security, from the BDF had called or contacted you about this?"

Sylvana Choco
"Nobody. It's a shock that I got when my son came and checked the Facebook and told me a helicopter crashed. And then his girlfriend hurry said that, 'I hope it's not my brother.' I told her, 'No, I don't want to hear that because my son's birthday was Sunday.' So I told her I don't want to hear that."

Reporter
"When you confirmed the information, how was it confirmed? Was it by the personnel? Was it by the BDF, was it by any family or friends that confirmed it was your son?"

Sylvana Choco
"My uncle came, he received the news. I don't know how he received the news. Until Friday in the evening, I think around 5 o clock or 7, in the evening, Sargent Poc, he came to drop the message. He said sorry about what happened and said your son passed away. Only he came and nobody else. Until now, I still see nobody."

Reporter
"Any information as to how your son died? Do you know how your son died? What did they tell you happened?"

Sylvana Choco
"No, he didn't tell me anything. He just came to tell me that my son passed away. I want to find out why my son died and why they didn't report it because I hear they left from camp 2 o clock in the morning. And when they said it in the news it was 4."

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