The reports of this matter are shocking. A family home, nestled in a forested area miles off the Carlsen Field Road, was invaded then burnt to the ground. Three bodies were recovered at the scene. Dead are Michelle Harrylal, 26, her common-law husband Michael Applewaithe, 35, and another male.

We express condolences to the family of the victims. They should be given the necessary support and counselling they will badly need during this trying and traumatic time.

Miraculously, a four-year-old child – understood to be Michelle Harrylal’s child – escaped from the scene. How the child managed to escape is unclear but he will forever live with the pain of the circumstances of the death of his family. Though he was left without physical injury, the psychological injury he is likely to have endured is profound and will affect him for the rest of his life. We hope he receives the requisite counselling. If it becomes necessary, the Children’s Authority may have a role in this matter.

Certainly lawyers with experience in representing the interest of minors should be present at all points of contact between the child and the police to ensure his best interest is kept at heart during this investigation.

This matter is still under probe, but it is shocking to think of how events may have unfolded. The family may have been set upon during their sleep in the dead of night, murdered and their house destroyed. Another possibility – suggested by a trail of what appeared to be blood – is the murders took place outside of the home and then the bodies were dumped in the house to be burnt.

The crying child told a woman who found him wandering barefoot along the roadway that his mother was burnt in a fire and is in heaven.

The facts of this case will remind many of the brutal murder of an entire family in Malabar in June, the murder of a family in Brasso Seco in 2014, and the 1994 murders of Deo, Rookmin, Hamilton and Monica Baboolal of Piparo at the behest of Dole Chadee. In the latter case, two children survived. Chadee was later hanged.

While members of the Carlsen Field community are shaken at this time, it is important for all to cooperate with the police and to come forward with any information they may have. They must assist law enforcement authorities as much as possible and also offer whatever support is needed by the family.

News of the murders in Carlsen Field came as the body of a woman was found in Valencia bearing marks of violence.

The country is on edge. These developments show that crime remains too much of an element in our social fabric and efforts to tackle it must continue intensely.

We hope the police have the required resources they need to comb the scene and to pursue leads. While there are many important issues facing the land, eradicating crime must be our number one priority.

That includes reforming the Police Service, as well as the criminal justice system as a whole. But more immediately, it means ensuring there are enough trained and experienced officers to work on the large number of cases that continue to emerge daily.

In a few weeks, Minister of Finance Colm Imbert will set out his Budget for the next year. It is hoped that while economic times remains hard, the Budget for the national security apparatus remains protected.

For now, all efforts must be aimed at finding the killers behind the Carlsen Field murders.

It seems that at the moment there is a shortage of field officers at the Ministry of Agriculture, making it almost impossible to eradicate the problem. I posit that it can be solved almost immediately with the implementation of this not-new technology.

A search on the Internet reveals that there are several types of drones available, both in the US and even here in Trinidad, that can do the job. They are relatively inexpensive, about US$1,200 and even lower.

The drones come with HD cameras that can be monitored and recorded from a laptop and they can be airborne for more than 45 minutes on one battery charge with speeds of up to 22 miles an hour, recording all the while.

Picture it: our field officers can pinpoint the location of the poacher and have the evidence from their base before going out to arrest the culprits. No need to employ extra staff in this downturn.

I hear that there are people with the expertise and the equipment right here in Trinidad (I know of none personally) and I am sure if approached they can give a demonstration for, say, a month to prove the usefulness of this technology.

The drones can also be used in locating missing people both at land and at sea. I am not even mentioning the use that the Defence Force can also make of it for patrols.

I love both national birds with a passion and I appeal to the relevant ministry to do something now to wipe out this poaching menace. Do not wait to introduce the technology after all the birds are gone. Get the amateur drone aviators on the job now. One arrest or even the advertisement of the drone use on a trial basis and I feel that all poaching of the birds and other wildlife will stop.

It may be that we already have the equipment here as I seem to remember Gary Griffith recommending it to the then government when he was in the Ministry of National Security as a replacement for the much hated and misunderstood blimp. If so, please immediately deploy the technology.

TERRY INNISS Cascade

Jamiel Hardware (fifth minute) and Fabien Reid (56th) found the back of the net for Jamaica while defender Kevon Villaroel (10th) replied for the hosts, who used this game as preparations for their forthcoming 2018 FIFA World Cup CONCACAF Zone Final Round Qualifiers against Honduras (at home on September 1) and Panama (away on September 5).

“I was a bit disappointed with the first goal that we conceded,” said Lawrence, during the post-game media interview. “I thought it was too soft. It’s not the way that we wanted to start the game.

“(Afterwards) the boys did well to get themselves back into the game,” continued the TT coach. “I think we had too many chances.

“We need to start putting away all these chances because, at the end of the day, goals win matches. Jamaica (then) made it very difficult for us.

The boys stuck at it.” Lawrence, as well as the TT players, were noticeably at odds with decisions made by Guyanese referee Sherwin Johnson, including Reid’s decisive goal, which he allowed, despite huge protestations by hosts.

Lawrence pointed out, “We looked at it on the video clip. It came off the guy’s shoulder. I think it was a fair goal.

“We thought it was (a) hand ball at the time so I compliment (the referee) on that. At least he got one thing right,” he added.

Marcus Joseph was recalled to the national team, and he had a mixed performance as the lone striker. According to Lawrence, “I think it took him a bit long to settle into the game. He wasn’t himself, the Marcus that I know. I think he rushed things a little bit.” Another player recalled by Lawrence was winger Cordell Cato, who missed the pair of qualifiers in June – away to the United States and Costa Rica, for disciplinary reasons. “It would have been difficult for him on the night because he hasn’t played for a while,” Lawrence said. “But I thought he gave everything. The idea was to give him 70 minutes but he said to me ‘I’m going to go the whole 90 minutes’.

I think it will be good for him, going into the Honduras game.” Jamaica coach Theodore “Tappa” Whitmore, commenting on the game, noted, “It wasn’t all about a win situation. We wanted to help our Caribbean neighbours in terms of giving them a good practice game, going into their two World Cup qualifying games. I think we did just that. The added bonus is just the victory.”

Roach and fellow fast bowler Shannon Gabriel took four for 71 and four for 51 respectively to dismiss England for 258 on day one yesterday. At the close West Indies were 19/1 after 12 overs in reply with Kraigg Brathwaite and Devendra Bishoo at the crease.

Roach is hoping the West Indies can put the regional team in a strong position today after surviving a tricky period under lights yesterday. “It could have been more (wickets) obviously.

Batting under lights is never easy, but I will say well played to Kraigg and nightwatchman Bishoo and I think that once these guys can stick out there and put up a fight against the English we can get a lead and try to win this Test match,” he said.

Roach, who was proud of his effort, said it was also great to see Gabriel playing again after recovering from injury. “It is really good to see Shannon fit and raring to go. He has been our best bowler for the last year and I will say well bowled to him for his four-for. For me I felt really good as well today (yesterday) and I just want to continue doing what I am doing, working hard and getting more wickets for the West Indies.” Roach said team meetings over the last few days helped the West Indies.

“We had a very strong team meeting, a very open team meeting so the guys know what we are about for the rest of this tour. It is all about going out there putting your best foot forward, working hard and performing for the West Indies.”

Jamaican Valaine Clarke and Indian Amritalakshmi Shanmugam defeated Jones and Tom Yew 6-2, 6-1 to advance to today’s final. In the other semifinal, American Jackeline Lopez and Ariana Salgueiro-Estela of Puerto Rico outlasted American Odette Beagrie and Japanese Remika Ohashi 7-6, 7-6.

On Thursday, Kamran McIntosh- Ross of TT defeated his countryman Nathan Valdez 6-3, 6-1 to win the boys Under-14 singles title. Alexis Bruce of TT could not win the girls Under-14 singles title, after falling to Sarinah Maduro of Curacao 6-1, 6-4.

In an all-TT final, Isabel Abraham and Keesa Lee Young lifted the girls doubles Under-14 title after defeating Aalisha Alexis and Shauna Valentine 7-5, 7-5.

In the boys doubles Under-14 final, Kyle Kerry and Ethan Wong of TT went down 4-6, 2-6 to Aidan Bousquet and Maxx William of St Lucia.

Today is the final day of the Under-18 tournament with matches serving off at 9 am.

TKR will face Jamaica Tallawahs at 8 pm tonight TT time at Sabina Park in Jamaica.

TKR have already booked a place in the knock-out phase with two matches left, and are almost guaranteed a top two finish after the preliminary stage.

It is beneficial to finish in the top two, as the top two teams have two chances of qualifying for the final on September 9.

TKR lead the standings with 14 points after earning seven wins and one loss. Despite a stellar run of form, Borde said there is no time to relax.

“The tournament has a long way to go in it. We are not even close to (achieving) anything yet. We are still focused and taking each game at a time,” Borde said.

Borde said the team would not experiment much with the line up, although the Knight Riders have already booked a place in the next round “We have a squad that all players are ready.

We expect that we will play like we have played the last couple games with intent to win the match.

There is no plan to experiment.

The team is focused on what we have to do and our job here is to win matches.” Brendon McCullum (40 not out) and Darren Bravo (38 not out) were the top TKR batsmen in the last game, leading the team to an eight-wicket win over second placed St Kitts and Nevis Patriots on Wednesday.

Borde said a number of players are stepping up for TKR which has led to the team’s success.

“It is a game that batsmen will take risks, so you are not going to expect that each game a player will fire.

That is why it is important for us from a team perspective that various players step up.” Pakistani Shadab Khan, who has been an instrumental player for TKR, will rejoin the team in Barbados when they face the Barbados Tridents on September 2. Khan played the first six matches for TKR before he and the other Pakistani players were called by the Pakistan Cricket Board to complete fitness and medical tests ahead of national and domestic commitments.

However two men ages 48 and 39, believed to be relatives of the teens, remained in police custody yesterday after it was found the kidnapping report made by the men was false. The men are expected to be charged with wasteful employment of the police.

Yesterday the Police Service issued a press release to describe the teens’ kidnapping as false and added that an investigation was being carried out by officers of the Eastern Division.

Police said, “The resources of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit were activated around 5 am on Thursday after a report of three persons being kidnapped and a subsequent report made by relatives at around 10 am on Thursday.” The report indicated Deo Lutchman, his son 16-year-old Darryl Lutchman and his nephew 14-year-old Brandon Sam, all of Oropouche Road, Sangre Grande, were kidnapped by armed men and bundled into a white Tiida vehicle, while hunting at Non Pareil Road, Sangre Grande, at about 8 pm on Wednesday.

Deo Lutchman was subsequently released on Thursday August 24, 2017, and a ransom demand of $350,000 made, for the safe return of the teenagers.

Officers of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit and the Sangre Grande CID under Inspector Ken Lutchman are continuing investigations”.

Yesterday relatives of the two teenagers found wandering in Penal said that the incident was domestic related and an attempt to extort money from relatives of the teens.

The samples taken from Aleena Babwah and Surendra Harrylal would confirm via Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) testing if the charred unrecognisable remains is that of Harrylal.

Harrylal, 26, her common- law husband Michael Applewaithe, 35, and another male were believed to have been tied up and the house set ablaze. At about 8 am, a villager in a car was alerted to the tragedy when she saw Harrylal’s four year old son wandering barefoot along the roadway.

The villager said the boy appeared to be traumatised. The crying child told the woman his mother was burnt in a fire and is in heaven.

The villager, who knew the boy, drove to the family’s home and saw the house burnt to the ground.

The house is located miles off the Carlsen Field Road in a forested area and there are no houses in close proximity to the structure.

Members of the Police and Fire Services were contacted and when they arrived, police said a trail of blood was found near the ruins. Investigators are working on the theory that the occupants were killed and their bodies set on fire in the house. Residents said they had seen smoke earlier that day but many assumed it may have been a bush fire in the area.

Yesterday Harrylal’s step father Errol Babwah told Newsday was still struggling to come to terms with the tragedy.

“We know it is Michelle. This is really hard and I don’t know if we will ever be able to get over this. My step daughter did not deserve this.” Police are asking members of the public to assist them with any information they may have with respect to the unidentified person believed to be an adult male. Homicide Region Three members are investigating.

John, TUCO noted, was a distinguished journalist and a hard-working publications and features editor of the Trinidad Express Newspapers.

The release also stated that during John’s journey in the media world, she always extended her work to provide publicity support for events and activities in the arts and entertainment industry.

Lutalo Masimba, President of TUCO said, “Her commitment to the support of Calypso and Calypsonians as well as to the work of our organisation was acknowledged when she was awarded at the Calypso History Month Gala a few years ago.

“Deborah John was always there for us, sharing her wealth of knowledge and advice over the years as we built our relationship with the media.” He added, “The Trinbago Unified Calypsonians’ Organisation is extremely distressed by her passing and we will continue to celebrate her life with song. To her family, colleagues and close friends we urge you to stay strong during this time of bereavement.” Deborah John’s funeral will be held on Tuesday at the St Joseph RC Church, St Joseph, at 8 am.

While, to some, the results may not be unusual, the school has been labelled a “problem school” over the years because of the behaviour of some students.

Many of the students at the school come from depressed areas in and around Marabella.

School principal Sheldon Jodha was clearly elated at his students’ success, “The hard work of students and teachers combined, ensured the academic success of six of our students at the CSE C exams this year,” he said.

Jada Clarke, 17, and Venessa Bobb, 18, each secured seven ones and one Caribbean Vocational qualification (CVQ) in their exams.

Clarke obtained six distinctions while Bobb captured five.

Their outstanding performances were followed by: Kerdesha Barclay, 17, Elizabeth Cooper, 17, Renee Smith, 17, and Samantha Gangapersad, 16, who obtained passes in all their subjects.

These young ladies were part of the third and final group of girls under the Ministry of Education Single Gender Initiative.

Under this initiative, Jodha said, “The pass rates at exams significantly increased and the MOE should reinstate this programme to ensure higher success rates.” The initiative was introduced in 2010 by the ministry to convert 20 co-educational schools to single sex with hopes of increasing academic performances.

Jodha believed Marabella South Secondary’s performance this year was a testament to the fact the project was working along with administrative changes that were implemented.

Jodha said the new school policies ensured that teachers were prepared and attended classes regularly.

There were also incentive programmes for students such as prizes for the top performers at the end of each term for academic success and achievements in other areas. To make the students feel appreciated at school, Jodha said the school distributed tokens on Valentine’s Day, Universal Children’s Day and Christmas.

Clarke, an aspiring actuary as well as the school’s highest achiever stated, “I am proud to say I am a Marabella South student.

My advice to incoming students is to always ask for assistance and it takes long hours, hard work and sacrifices to get the result you desire.” Smith, whose next step is to pursue a certificate in criminology, advised, “It does not matter what school you pass for. It depends on how you work. And through prayer and determination you can achieve all your goals in life.” The six students expressed heartfelt thanks to their teachers Ms Doughty, Mr Ramsagar and Ms Ramlogan. They placed emphasis on the excellent support system that their teachers provided, as well as their parents.