7 News Belize

Deceased Major’s Mom Calls Out Security Minister For False Claim
posted (July 20, 2020)
School is starting in three weeks - and it is an especially difficult time for the family of deceased BDF Pilot Radford Baizar. His three children and one on the way, lost their breadwinner when he crashed and died on February 26 in an air tragedy that claimed four lives.

There seemed to be some consolation last week when the Minister of National security announced that all the families had gotten an ex gratis payment of one hundred thousand dollars.

But, tonight, Major Baizar's mom is saying that's not true. Here's a replay what Minister Michael Peyrefitte said last week Wednesday, and what Baizar's mother told us via phone today:

Hon. Michael Peyrefitte - Minister of National Security
"I think we made it very public, that each family was given a sort of like an ex-gratia payment of $100,000 or something to that effect, without admitting any fault on the government. I think we have determined that it was pilot error that caused the crash. Now, there is an investigation going on as to the internal mechanism of the BDF, in terms of dealing with the aircraft, and that is about to be completed."

Jean Baizar, Maj. Radford Baizar's mother
"I think he was speaking out of turn and I think he was being disrespectful. I am so disappointed in him throwing that out there and it's not true. We haven't received any $100,000 from the government - none of the families so far has received that money and on our behalf, the Baizar's we are not going to take that money as a settlement, because my son's life worth more than that."

Jules Vasquez, reporter
"Is this something you all have heard about or had it been proposed to you by the government or anything like that?"

Jean Baizar, Maj. Radford Baizar's mother
"We heard that they were offering that money. Ahm, so far nobody has come forward to us with anything. The Baizar family, we are on the same page - wife, everybody - we work together. The other thing is we havent gotten a police report as yet. I have been lobbying for a police report from ever since. They turn you around, you hear the CEO Mr. Enriquez say you will get it such a time, then you dont get it, then you hear Mr. Myvette you will get it from the police. I have been questioning, sending, asking and cannot get a police report so far. Its already 4 months, 3 weeks since those soldiers died on the line of duty serving this country to the best of their ability and this is how the government of Belize treats these people. Shame on them. It's very hard. It's something that I can't even explain, especially just everyday looking at my grandkids, knowing that they would never have their father to do things that a father would do with their child and then on top of this they have us just turning us around, not even concern about the children needs and all of that. First Covid was their excuse. That is past, not Covid, but the curfew and all that. The courts are open, the treasury is open and nothing. Nobody cares. They have a blaming game. You hear oh check with Bennet from Coast Guard, then you hear to check with Borland and then Mr. Enriquez and it's a play game."

As you heard, Jean Baizar said the families of the other soldiers who lost their lives, have also not received anything.

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