National Security Minister: I Don’t Pass Judgement Without Seeing the Full Picture

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NASSAU , THE BAHAMAS – A brutal beatdown on the high seas has gone viral, with the clip showing Bahamian fishermen attacking alleged poachers.

The incident caught the attention of local law enforcement and National Security Minister Wayne Munroe.

As our Joshua Williams tells us in this report, Munroe stopped short of condemning their actions.

It was shocking video captured on a cell phone and it went viral.

It allegedly shows Bahamian fishermen brutally beating what appears to be poachers in Bahamian waters.

For several minutes, punches were thrown and slaps dished out as expletives were shouted.

Before the clip ends, a man shouted “Don’t come back.”

The video’s gotten thousands of views and mixed reaction on social media.

When asked if he condemns the alleged attack, National Security Minister, Wayne Munroe didn’t say yes and he also didn’t say no.

Wayne Munroe K.C. – Minister, National Security

“I don’t see the full picture of it if they’re being attacked and they have a right to defend themselves, but without seeing a full picture of what is happening, I don’t pass judgment. You see two boats together did one ram the other I don’t know I’m not gonna assume a Bahamian go out and break the law. I will assume that our people are law abiding until I see something that positively shows me otherwise.”

While poaching has been an issue for decades, this video marks the first time an attack like this was recorded and shared.

Protecting our waters from poaching falls under the remit of the Royal Bahamas Defence Force.

The RBDF confirmed no official report was made.

They also say they don’t know the date and time the video was recorded, adding surveillance and reconnaissance found no suspected vessels.

While there’s no official confirmation of this alleged poaching incident, Minister Munroe says the RBDF must always be equipped to handle the job.

Wayne Munroe K.C. – Minister, National Security

“We’re investing platforms we’re investing in technology, but just as a policeman can eat everywhere on the land that defence can’t be everywhere over 180,000 miles.”

Wayne Munroe K.C. – Minister, National Security

“When something happens, we’re encouraging people to make a report the RBDF has the 41 foot fast intercept board and that boat can cruise at 4050 kn so it can reach cover distance very quickly so we’re encouraging people to make report reports so that the defense force the police for us and some instances, it’s our international partners like the coast guard the us coast guard can’t respond to these matters “