QRC students celebrate Guillen’s release

Raymond-Guillen, son of Guardian journalist Judy Raymond and land developer Jeffrey Guillen, was kidnapped as he was about to leave his Sanora Park home at Point Cumana. A ransom demand was made for the cricketer’s safe release.

After almost two weeks of being held as a captive, Guillen was released at 4 am yesterday in Barataria. He was up to news time resting at home.

"What started out as a march calling for Justin’s release and what started out as prayers for his safety, ended up being prayers of thanksgiving when we learned of his release," QRC vice-principal Lennard Hinkson told Newsday.

In fact, some of Raymond-Guillen’s relatives joined in the march which started at 8 am around the Queen’s Park Savannah and which comprised mainly students and teachers from the college. The march was led by students who held a large blue banner on which was written: "Friends of Justin. Please free Justin now." Other students waved placards, one of which had a photo of the former student.

"The march this morning was to make a strong call for his release. But we got the news that he was freed and of course we had to make slight adjustments. We still had an assembly prayer but this time it was for prayers of thanksgiving.

"Ever since this ordeal, we have been praying for Justin, so his release has left us very relieved and thankful," Hinkson added.

"I taught Justin for three years and although he is no longer with us, he is still a part of the QRC family. We at QRC consider ourselves a family, so when one person from our family is harmed we must get involved."

Guillen’s kidnapping prompted an outpouring of condemnation from businessmen, politicians and members of the Clergy and the cricketing fraternity.