Tobago House of Assembly Chief Secretary Farley Augustine says the case of missing toddler Angelo Tobias-Plaza is infuriating.
He made the comment while speaking exclusively with TTT News on Wednesday in Charlotteville.
Although police are yet to confirm reports that a man has confessed to murdering baby Angelo, Mr. Augustine says the entire incident has sparked a sense of anger among Tobagonians.
He urged the public to use this opportunity to reflect on the deeper issues being brought to the fore.
“The island certainly cannot and should not sit easy on this. I think this should be one of those things that we don’t allow to just have its nine day and pass. We have to have more than serious conversations about how we treat the vulnerable on the island, how we treat each other. We have had, as an island, perhaps some secret sins that we have to treat with.”
He said it is important that people understand the role of family in building a society.
“The family is the first social institution, and if the first social institution before we get to the church, the school, the youth groups, and all the other social institutions, if the first social institution destroys the child, then what exactly are we preparing for in terms of the future?”
The Chief Secretary also criticised the investigative process, saying he believes it took too long for certain information to be discovered.
Police maintain, however, that due process must be followed.