Photo: PUP Town Councilor, Moses Cal
by Kristen Ku
PUNTA GORDA, Toledo District, Thurs. Mar. 9, 2023
The PUP has quickly responded to reports that a member of its Punta Gorda town council allegedly assaulted a woman with whom he has reportedly been in a romantic relationship.
Earlier this week, the woman reported to Punta Gorda police that Moises Cal, a high school teacher who is a Punta Gorda (PG) town councilor, had punched her in the face several times, causing her left ear to split open. Police subsequently detained Cal after a medical examination of the woman confirmed her injury as wounding.
The PUP Secretariat then sent out a press release condemning the act of domestic violence and calling for Cal’s resignation as a town councilor:
“After carefully examining the circumstances surrounding the incident, the Party sees no other alternative but to call for the immediate resignation of the Councillor. As a Party and government, the PUP has zero tolerance for all forms of domestic violence!” stated the release.
Prime Minister John Briceño echoed those sentiments when he spoke to local reporters this week.
“Well, our party was very clear, and we answered very quickly especially in Women’s Month that we have zero tolerance for violence against women, and that’s why we have asked him to resign as a member of the Toledo Town Council. We can’t force him, but certainly, we can do something from our part, from within our party,” he said.
Minister of Public Service, Constitutional and Political Reform, Hon. Henry Charles Usher, also made public comments on the matter.
“When we heard the news yesterday, it was very unfortunate. We’re very upset to hear that this incident occurred, and as you see the party sent out a press release immediately yesterday,” he said.
“As of right now, he’s been asked to step down. He’s one year away from an election, so I don’t believe there needs to be a by-election, but we believe that it’s important that he step down as a town councilor,” said Minister Usher.
Cal is still to respond to the accusations against him and to the release sent out by his party.