As you saw in our story, Corporal Yassir Mendez's father is a retired Sargeant Major. He was in the BDF for 22 years and he told CTV-3 news today that - in his professional opinion - there were multiple breakdowns. First in communication because just like Corporal Reinaldo Choco's mother, he learned of his son's demise on Facebook:
Reporter
"How did the family find out about this tragedy?"
Sgt. Mjr. Marcello Mendez- Yassir's Father
"I find it on Facebook because nobody came and told me your son dead. I find it on Facebook, I was at Caye Caulker. You know when you are working you can't put yourself on Facebook but I just put it at that time. At 10:30 exactly, I put it on just to peruse and then I saw that a helicopter is missing. I call my wife instantly and I asked her if she knew about it, if she knew about him. She called, my wife called base, his wife called base and nobody could give account of him. Then until later they reach home and told my wife what happened. However, they haven't said anything to me. I find it on Facebook. The sentiment is there that why there is a protocol in place that you need, if anybody lost, you call that person instantly. But you will tell me you will face me on Facebook and without knowing anything. The sentiments now is we need answers. We need to know how things happened. Who gave the green light, who was the person in charge, who was the officer? I used to be a soldier too and I know what is the procedure but I need to know who gave the green light. I was told today that they make the plane land. But how to take off, how did that happen? They were there on the spot and they made the plane land. I will tell you, an officer of the BDF told me that. So, probably, didn't need to disclose that but I found out. There are fishy things in there and I cannot regret it if we sue the BDF."
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