We also spoke to Jones about the situation in the South. He explained the BDF's role Belize's Southern waters, and told us his thoughts on amending the Maritime Areas Act to claim all twelve of Belize's territorial waters in the South...
Alex Courtenay, 7News
"We know that many Toledo residents have recently been complaining that Sapodilla Ranges, they are not very well policed. Does the BDF have any kind of patrolling around that area?"
Brig. Gen. David Jones - Commander, BDF
"No, we don't have any aggressive patrol in that area, but if there are any NGO's or there's a public request or any organization request that we do patrols, the BDF responds immediately and we will do it. So if there is any concern they would just send a letter either to the minister of defense headquarters or to myself and we will look into the issue for them."
Alex Courtenay, 7News
"While we are speaking about the south sir, recently also Assad Shoman, who many considered to be an author to when it comes to Belize and Guatemala and the border relations, he has been pushing for us to update and our maritime actions act and to claim all 12 miles of our southern border. From military perspective sir do you think that this is a good idea? What kind of opinions do you have?"
Brig. Gen. David Jones - Commander, BDF
"Well it is a wise idea. if there is - within nationality treaty claim up to 12 miles there is no way we should settle to just having 3 because if you restrict yourself to only having 3 then that gives any other country access to getting closer. So it's a wise idea and it's a political decision that I would urge to be done quickly so that we could the territory that we deserve to have."
Currently Belize only claims and maintains three or the allotted twelve miles of territorial seas at the Southern border.
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