Officers of the Anti-Kidnapping Squad continued the search yesterday for kidnapped businessman Peter De Freitas, the owner of Flick Insecticides.

AKS officers raided several homes in East, Central and South in a bid to rescue the businessman and several suspects were detained for questioning. The suspects were released. AKS officers said that kidnappers continue to demand $3 million for the safe return of De Freitas. All the calls to the Valsayn home of De Freitas came from public phone booths in Port-of-Spain, and investigators were unable to trace any of the calls thus far. Investigators said that they are working along certain lines and expect to make a breakthrough in the investigation. AKS officers re-vealed that several other suspects in the kidnapping will be quizzed shortly.

De Freitas was kidnapped early Satur-day while in the company of a friend at Ariapita Avenue, Wood-brook. Emille Ali, 25, who was also kidnapped with De Freitas was released at the Caroni Cremation Site around 4 am on Saturday. Ali told Caroni Police that he went to make a deposit at the Wood-brook branch of Republic Bank in company with De Freitas, when they were confronted by four masked men armed with guns. They were both robbed and bundled into a car. He claimed that they were blindfolded and he was dropped off at the Caroni Cremation Site. Friends of the kidnapped victim gathered to give support to the worried relatives.

TEMPERS flared again yesterday at the Commission of Inquiry into the Piarco Airport development project as the Commis-sioners indicated their intention to question former NIPDEC Chairman, Edward Bayley.

The Commission is expected to send a second summons to Bayley for him to appear to be questioning by the Commission’s attorneys, led by Theodore Guerra, SC. The announcement by Chairman Clinton Bernard, took Bayley’s attorneys, Sonny Maharaj, SC leading Stuart Young, by surprise, causing Maharaj to complain that the Commission “must follow established principles.” Bayley was present at the sitting. Maharaj’s complaint was based on the fact that Bernard had indicated last Friday that attorneys for the Commission would have responded to his (Maharaj) “in camera” submissions. Maharaj said Bernard’s announcement at the start of the sitting demonstrated that the Commission, “for no reason, had abandoned that position”. Bernard agreed that no response would be given by the Commission’s attorneys, but Maharaj hotly demanded that a “reasonable response” be given to him on the Commission’s course of action.

Bernard did not oblige but instead asked if Maharaj was ready to question Noel Garcia, the former NIPDEC General Manager, who was available for questioning. Maharaj insisted that his submissions had asked the Commission to note that there was no evidence to implicate Bayley. Bernard’s attempts to interrupt Maharaj was met with a loud “you must listen to me” from Maharaj. Bernard explained that there was evidence against Bayley. But a persistent Maharaj demanded, “Tell us what it is,” as he continued to insist that the evidence given by Garcia had been discredited by NIPDEC’s attorney, Christopher Hamel-Smith. Therefore the Commission could not rely on it, he said. Bernard reminded Maharaj that in his submissions, he had described Garcia’s evidence as “mauvais langue,” which he couldn’t do from the bar table. He said that there was other evidence on which Maharaj could question Garcia. As the exchange between the two continued with raised voices, junior attorney for the Commission, Margaret Rose attempted to explain that the matter be dealt with “in camera”, but her advice was not heeded by Bernard. Instead he and Maharaj continued their verbal exchange with Bernard insisting, “Notwithstanding what you say, we want to hear from Mr Edward Bayley.”

Monica Rochard, mother of three, was yesterday committed to stand trial for the murder of her 14- month old son.

Rochard, 28, was charged with the murder of her son Jameel Rochard, who died in a fire at their home in Blue Basin, Diego Martin, on November 25, last year. She was charged following investigations by Sgt Anthony Lezama of the West End CID.  Lezama, who gave evidence yesterday, was the last of 11 witnesses called by the state. There were no closing submissions by either State Attorney Candia James or defence attorney Nadia Ashraph. Chief Magistrate Sherman Mc Nicolls asked Rochard if she wished to call any witnesses. She indicated that she would be reserving her defence for the High Court. Mc Nicolls then told Rochard that he was satisfied that a prima facie case had been made against her and she would stand trial at the next sitting of the High Court. Ashraph informed Newsday that Rochard’s three remaining children were currently residing with their paternal grandmother.

THE wife of  murder accused, Glenroy London, yesterday testified that her husband was at home with her the night he was accused of murdering Cedros gardener Clifford Mark.

Geeta Denise Maharaj gave the alibi as she continued her evidence from the witness box of the First Criminal Assizes of the San Fernando High Court. London, 43, a labourer of Point Ligoure, was pointed out by the State’s star witness Byron Vespry as the main participant in Mark’s murder, which was committed  during the early hours of November 14, 2000. Vespry, who was with London at the time and among a gang that allegedly killed Mark in the Cedros forest, was granted immunity after he agreed to testify for the State. Maharaj testified before the jury and Justice Melville Baird that on November 13, 2000, she began operating a parlour in front her father’s house at Point Ligoure. She said after closing the shop, she and London walked to their home on Warden Road and went to sleep around 12.30 pm. Maharaj claimed she was a light sleeper and recalled that on that night, “He got up to use the bed pot for a minute or two and came back to bed.” The accused’s wife denied that her husband was elsewhere that night.

“That couldn’t be true because when I got up that morning he was there,” she insisted. Maharaj also admitted to knowing that London sold drugs. She said she found out when London was convicted in June 2000 for a narcotic charge. Also testifying yesterday was Elton Botswain, who said that sometime in late 2000, star witness Vespry had threatened that London “would be very sorry” if the accused did not return a quantity of cocaine which he had stolen. Botswain testified that he, a man nicknamed “Strongy” and London escaped with the drugs after they beat up Vespry and a man named “Raymond.” Botswain said two days later in Point Fortin, “Raymond,” Vespry and two other men threatened to shoot or chop him if he did not hand over his share of the cocaine. London’s attorney Ian Stuart Brooke closed the case for the defence after Botswain’s testimony, and Brook is expected to address the jury today. Acting Assistant DPP Joan Honore Paul is leading the prosecution’s case.

Jairam Rampersad tearfully left the Hall of Justice yesterday after a nine-member jury found him not guilty of kidnapping.

When asked for a comment about the verdict, Rampersad said that he could not explain how he felt and that he was just “very happy.” The jury comprising four women and five men, deliberated for two hours before relating the verdict to Justice Malcom Holdip at the Port-of-Spain Third Criminal Court. Rampersad was charged with kidnapping Merlinda Lennard on September 24 1999. Lennard claimed that at about 4:30 pm that day, she was pulled into a car with Rampersad and two other men in front of Unique Book Store, Chaguanas. Lennard refused to comment on the verdict. Defence Counsel Larry Williams presented evidence that Rampersad was at home polishing trophies for a church convention at the time of the alleged kidnapping.

Rampersad in his testimony at High Court, said that at the time of his arrest he was living with Pastor Tilbanie Singh in Chaguanas. He said that on September 24, 1999, he left Pastor Singh’s house around 5.30 pm. He met a friend and they got into a maxi taxi. His friend exited the maxi taxi at Cunupia and Rampersad said he travelled to Curepe where he took another vehicle to the Arouca Tabernacle Church. Rampersad stated that he left the church at about 9.45 pm and got back to Pastor Singh’s house between 10.15 pm to 10.30 pm. He insisted that he had nothing to do with the kidnapping of Lennard. Following the verdict, Justice Holdip told Rampersad he was free to go.

The man accused of shooting two Beetham sisters yesterday appeared before Port-of-Spain Magistrate, Michelle Maharaj-Brown.

Dale Richards, 24, of Beetham Estate is facing 15 charges in connection with two separate shooting incidents in Beetham Estate Laventille. Richards reportedly shot Curtis Greaves on May 17, and sisters Alana and Carol Ram last Tuesday. The 15 charges include wounding with intent to endanger life, possession of a weapon with intent to do grievous bodily harm and possession of ammunition with intent to do grievous bodily harm. The charges were laid by PC Alleyne and PC Edwards of the Besson Street CID. Richards was not called upon to plea. Attorney Patrick Godson-Phillips will be representing Richards in the matter. Maharaj-Brown adjourned the matter to today when he will appear before Magistrate Ejenny Espinet.

Crime and the problems being faced by society will not be solved by policing and incarceration, Chairman of the Family Planning Association of TT (FPATT) Gerry Brooks as he made an impassioned appeal for $5 million annually from government to continue its work.

He said the crisis underscored the need for such funding if the FPATT is to take the lead in implementing meaningful interventions in communities. Through increased funding from Government the FPATT plans to expand its programmes, among them, “De Living Room” — the Association’s youth centre to at least other sites and increase the FPA Express to undeserved communities. Brooks used news stories in the Newsday and other daily newspapers to illustrate the problems affecting the family and youths. “When page one, two, our and five unprompted of a daily newspaper indicate what it has indicated we need to get out to get out to the communities, and reach families if we are to resolve the problems facing society.”

The FPA is placing emphasis on families with its theme for this year “supporting Families, Building a Healthy Nation” for this year’s theme. Brooks said with the insidious nature of the deterioration of society the FPATT believed that the solution must be in forging meaningful relationships with communities, which are based on trust, dignity. He said communities must also be given the proper tools to achieve enabling environments.  Brooks also noted the lack of support given to youths, saying they are left to flounder in an environment which does not cater or their holistic development in general and to their need for sexual and reproductive health information. He said society had to stop dealing with sexual and family life education in Calyposes and jokes and engage young people in mature discussion. The FPATT has intensified its efforts to strengthen the family with its “De Living Room” —, the Tobago Integrated Youth Health Promotion Project — an expanded response to stemming the spread of HIV/AIDS and the Collaborative HIV/AIDS Adolescent Project — a family based HIV/AIDS prevention project. The FPATT has been receiving an annual subvention of $1M since 1992.

A WOMAN has sued a nursing home in South Trinidad for negligence arising out of a surgical operation in which she suffered burns while in the operating theatre. Lisa Alisha Hosein, 32, of  Palmiste, San Fernando, claims she was burnt on her stomach by a surgical instrument during the operation.

In a writ filed in the Sub-Registry, San Fernando, Hosein claimed she underwent an operation on October 1, 1999 at the medical centre where she was warded to deliver her baby by Caesarian section. In a statement of claim, filed by her attorney Hansraj Bhola, Hosein stated that when she woke up after the operation, her husband told her she had suffered burns on the right trunk of her body. “I began to cry, became confused, frightened, vex, angry and upset at the sight of  the burn scars,” Hosein stated in her writ. The woman stated that she has since had  plastic surgery operations. According to her writ, Hosein must undergo three extensive surgical procedures to determine the extent of the injuries. The woman is contending that through acts of negligence, she suffered the burns. She is seeking damages and compensation.

Works Minister Franklyn Khan said yesterday the new and comprehensive regime for international shipping, which will be enacted in July 2004, “will serve to strengthen maritime security and prevent and suppress acts of terrorism against shipping.”

Speaking at a seminar on Port and Ship Facility Security at the Port Authority Building, Dock Road, Khan stated that it has always been the Ministry’s aim to ensure the safety of life and property at sea, as well as the protection of the marine environment from pollution from ships. He revealed that in December 2002 Government had adopted new provisions to the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) to enhance maritime security. “These new requirements form the international framework through which ships and port facilities can co-operate to detect and deter acts which threaten security in the maritime transport sector,” Khan claimed. Stating that the International Maritime Organisation had come to the realisation that ships must be made less vulnerable to threats both at sea and while in port, Khan reiterated, “Safety and security are closely linked.”

The administration department of the Maritime Services Division has been charged with the responsibility of enforcing the SOLAS Convention in approving security plans, performing security audits of ships and issuing International Ship Security Certificates (ISSC). However, Khan said the implementation of these provisions will require the effective co-operation and understanding of all involved, including ship personnel, port personnel, passengers, cargo interests, as well as  ship and port management. Khan concluded by urging local companies and ships to take appropriate steps to increase awareness of the potential dangers so that their crews would be extremely vigilant and alert to any security threat that they may encounter.

CAMPAIGNING in Nariva/Mayaro for the upcoming Local Government Elections turned heated on the weekend between the ruling People’s National Movement (PNM) and the opposition United National Congress (UNC) when supporters from both parties clashed.

Biche police are investigating reports of a heated exchange between a PNM candidate and Kelly Ramdass, a UNC activist. According to police reports, around midday on Sunday, Ramdass was driving through the Biche district speaking through a microphone to inform residents about his party’s plans and programmes. The report stated that Ramdass used a remark about a PNM candidate handing out grocery hampers together with smoked herring. The UNC had given out, Ramdass ann-ounced, food hampers with chicken, a statement to which one of the PNM’s candidates took offence.

Reports stated that Ramdass was confronted at his home later that day at Kitchener Street, Biche Village, by several PNM activists. Ramdass reported to police that he was threatened. The PNM activists, the report stated, surrounded Ramdass and pointing their fingers in his face, asking him to desist from making anti-PNM statements through the “mike.” Campaign manager for one of the PNM candidates in the area, Brian Francis, denied there was a clash. However parliamentary representative for the area, Harry Partap, said Ramdass reported to him that a truck packed with PNM supporters confronted him (Ramdass) in front his home. Partap told Newsday, “We are saying that we would not be intimidated by thuggery. We are prepared to defend ourselves with our vote.”