Prime Minister John Briceno says PG Town Councilor Moses Cal should resign

Police have continued their investigations into a case of domestic violence in which a town councilor from Punta Gorda has been accused. Love News has learned that the woman reported to police that town councilman and teacher, Moses Cal punched her in the face several times and he also punched her to the side of her head, splitting her left ear. The 43-year-old woman was examined by a doctor, who classified her injuries as wounding and we’re told that the woman has requested court action. Cal was detained on the charge. He told us yesterday  (quote) “let us see where the judiciary process will take us”. (end of quote) He would not confirm or deny the reports. His organization, the People’s United Party, has called for his resignation. In a release yesterday, the PUP said quote “After carefully examining the circumstances surrounding the incident, the Party sees no other alternative but to call for the immediate resignation of the Councillor. As a Party and government, the PUP has zero tolerance for all forms of domestic violence!” End quote. Today, Party Leader and Prime Minister John Briceno along with Party Chairman Henry Charles Usher reiterated the call for Cal’s resignation. 

Reporter: Reaction from you in terms of Moise Cal from PG Town Council being charged for wounding a woman ? 

Hon. John Briceño, Prime Minister of Belize: “Well our party was very clear and we answered very quickly especially in Women’s month that we have zero tolerance for violence against women and that’s why we have asked him to resign as a member of the Toledo Town Council. We can’t force him but certainly we can do something from our part from within our party.”

Reporter: What about kicking him out of the party ? 

Hon. John Briceño, Prime Minister of Belize: “Well that’s another matter that we will definitely would discuss but as I said we have zero policy when it comes to the issue of violence against women.”

Hon. Henry Charles Usher, Minister of Public Service, Constitutional and Political Reform: “When we heard the news yesterday it was very unfortunate. We’re very upset to hear that this incident occurred and as you see the party sent out a press release immediately yesterday.”

Reporter: Will he be kicked out of the party ?

Hon. Henry Charles Usher, Minister of Public Service, Constitutional and Political Reform:  “Well as of right now he’s been asked to step down. He’s one year away from an election so I don’t believe there needs to be a byelection but we believe that it’s important that he step down as a town councilor.”

Reporter: Has he responded to the party’s request ?

Hon. Henry Charles Usher, Minister of Public Service, Constitutional and Political Reform: “The letter was just sent to him in writing today. I don’t think we have gotten anything back from him as yet.”