Belize Advisory Council orders reinstatement of Col. Javier Castellans

Javier Castellanos

There is justice for Colonel Javier Castellanos. Seven months after he was removed from the Belize Defence Force as Deputy Commandant, Castellanos has been cleared by the Belize Advisory Council and re-instated to return to post as second in command at the B.D.F.  He heads to the Ministry of National Security in Belmopan this Friday, letter in hand, to get instructions and Castellanos says he is eager to get back on duty. News Five’s Isani Cayetano looks back at the circumstances that led to his discharge from the force.

Isani Cayetano, Reporting

Former Deputy Commandant Javier Castellanos was relieved of his post as second in command of the Belize Defense Force on December twenty-third, 2011, in the wake of a daring burglary at the B.D.F.’s Price Barracks compound in Ladyville.   The unexplained circumstances surrounding the disappearance of an arsenal of forty-two high-powered weapons from the armory was reported to the media on October twelfth.

Col. Javier Castellanos, Deputy Commander, B.D.F. [File: October 12^th, 2011]

“Our initial investigations have revealed that a total of twenty-two M16 A1 rifles which are unserviceable, two M4 commander rifles also unserviceable, eleven nine millimeter berretta pistols which are serviceable and seven M4 carbine rifles which are serviceable. And they are reported missing from the weapons bulk store which gives a total of forty-two weapons being thirty-one of them rifles and eleven pistols. Of these, seven of the rifles are serviceable and eleven pistols are serviceable.”

Colonel Castellanos, who was holding over in the absence of Brigadier General Dario Tapia, as well as three other officers, was summarily dismissed without first appearing before a military tribunal.  Castellanos, through Senior Counsel Godfrey Smith, subsequently challenged the decision of the Security Service Commission by appealing his case before the Belize Advisory Council.

Col. Javier Castellanos [File: June 4^th, 2012]

“In the month of November, 2011, I, Col. Castellanos, was placed on administrative leave for no purpose or reason at all. On the twenty-third of December, 2011 I was informed officially that I was discharged from the Belize Defense Force under Section 25 Part 1, Paragraph F on security grounds, effective that date, myself, Warrant Officer Roy Flores and two other junior officers. On the fourth of January, 2012 my attorney, Mr. Godfrey Smith, filed a notice of appeal on my behalf to the Belize Advisory Council. I received no further reason or explanation until the second of May, 2012 via my attorney Mr. Smith in a response from the Solicitor General’s Office to the Advisory Council and they are saying that the grounds for my discharge is that the Security Services Commission is in the view that myself and the other three officers acted in gross dereliction of duty.”

On July thirteenth, the board met to weigh the submissions and evidence presented in the matter.  After thoroughly examining the merits of the case the council has allowed Castellanos’ appeal by dismissing the decision of the Security Services Commission.

Via phone: Col. Javier Castellanos

“They ruled in my favor and they set aside the decision of the Security Service Commission and that I be reinstated as Deputy Commander of the Belize Defense Force with all benefits.  And that is as far as the communication between the Advisory Council and my legal representative.”

Isani Cayetano

“When you say all benefits, does this mean that you will be compensated for the time that you were out of service?”

Col. Javier Castellanos

“Yes, my appeal was based on the fact that I was wrongfully and illegally discharged with effect of twenty-third December, in the year 2011 and the benefits that are due to me in respect of the illegal discharge.”

While a date for his return has not been set, the twenty-four year veteran, even after his release still prided himself a public servant.  Castellanos now eagerly awaits the day he will reappear in military regalia.

Via Phone: Col. Javier Castellanos

“Even when I was discharged I considered myself, and I still consider myself a soldier and a servant of this nation.”

Isani Cayetano

“Is there any love lost between yourself and the rank of the B.D.F.?”

Via Phone: Col. Javier Castellanos

“Certainly not.  I am a professional officer, I was quite privileged to have been trained at some of the best military academies and institutions and I am a professional.  I have certainly nothing to hold against the rankings of the Belize Defense Force and I look forward to returning and serving the Belize Defense Force and the country of Belize.”

Reporting for News Five, I am Isani Cayetano.

We still haven’t heard the response from the ministry of national security on if and when Castellanos will report to duties.