Army launches investigation into El Socorro incident

The Regiment yesterday convened a Board of Inquiry into the reports of assault on residents in El Socorro, allegedly by members of the Defence Force.

The Chief of Defence Staff has instructed that a full investigation be immediately conducted to ascertain if there was Defence Force involvement in the incident which occurred on Thursday evening. Towards this end contact was made with the affected persons who have volunteered to visit the Regimental Headquarters to give statements. All Unit commanders were called out by the Commanding Officer of the Trinidad and Tobago Regiment to assist with the investigation. According to a release from the Army, the reports have received the urgent attention and action of the Defence Force. As such, the Defence Force said it has no intention of tolerating any indisciplined behaviour by its members.

Prime Minister Patrick Manning was reported yesterday as having called for a probe into reports of some citizens in El Socorro that they were attacked and beaten by so-called members of the Defence Force. A release from the Communications Unit of the Prime Minister said the incident is reported to have occurred in El Socorro on Thursday evening. Manning said that based on the reports received he has called on the Minister of National Security, Howard Chin Lee, to launch an investigation into the matter immediately, and to report the findings by today.