The troubling disclosure of a spying and wiretapping practice by a Security Intelligence Agency (SIA) is a slap in the face for families of kidnap victims and victims of crime.
That's the view of Naail Ali's parents of Bonne Aventure, Gasparillo. Ali, 26, was kidnapped outside the family hardware two years ago. Yesterday Ali's distraught parents Aaseen and Sharima were inconsolable as they questioned why this technology was not used to help save their son who remains missing. "We feel despondent, cheated and dejected. We feel like we are not citizens of this country. We feel like we are not taxpayers. This last government should pay personally like (former) National Security minister Martin Joseph. It is a bloody shame with them. I know Allah will take charge of them. They think they are high and mighty and powerful. I leave things in the hands of God," Aaseen said. His wife Sharima said: "All they had to do was trace that number when the kidnappers called and they would find him. To know many other parents and families went through this...this totally disappoints me. It makes you feel so much rage and anger that you don't know what to do."
We pleaded with Manning for help
She said they pleaded with the Government for help, including then Prime Minister Patrick Manning. However their cries went unanswered.
"Imagine, they had this equipment and I called so many times and begged and they did nothing. Why wasn't a greater effort made to help my son?" Sharima moaned. "It leaves you stunned and shocked. People from the Judiciary to the President's phones were bugged. It is sickening they bugged descent people when you could have helped people who are being affected by crime. It really leaves you speechless," she said. Aaseen said when the Anti-Kidnapping Squad came to their home after Ali was snatched they were told that the police did not have resources. "When my son was kidnapped on June 10, 2008 we reported it to the Anti-Kidnapping Squad and when they came they had a small, little tape recorder and a computer, all antiquated and they set up shop in my home," he said. "Imagine our taxpayers' money went to buy this equipment and they could not use it to save my child. We deserve better than that. What my child do? My son is a good child, he don't drink, he don't smoke, he don't lime and why didn't they save him," he sobbed.
'Someone must be held accountable'
Ali's disraught mother said every day she prays for her son to come home or at least find his body to get closure. "I miss him. I miss him a lot. It is hard for his brother, for his father. We just there praying and hoping that we find something that will bring Naail. It is just mental torture. Our lives have changed drastically. All we want to know is why, why wasn't it used to help us," she lamented. The Ali family has vowed to hold Manning accountable for their son's kidnapping. Aaseen said when Ali was snatched no one in the People's National Movement-led government visited their home or offered them solace. "Someone has to be held accountable. Someone has to answer. Someone has to be held responsible. If you are the caretakers of the people then serve the people. I cannot sit by and let that happen. People cannot be taken advantage of," Sharima said. Aaseen said the family was exploring their legal options. The investigation into Ali's kidnapping is ongoing.
