After murder, uneasy calm in northern city as Haitians flee(Update)

Moca, Dominican Republic.- An uneasy calm prevailed in a sector of, Moca Thursday, one day after enraged Dominicans destroyed houses inhabited by Haitians and expelled several of them, while at least 22 of the foreigners fled fearing reprisals for the death of the youngster Carlos José Núñez, buried yesterday.

The victim, a motor-taxi driver, was reportedly last seen taking two Haitians to an unspecified location, and his body was found stabbed to death along a road on Wednesday.

Ortega sector residents say they don’t want Haitians in their community, where several of the foreigners were forced out of their dwellings with backpacks and other belongings in hand.

"There are many criminals in my country who’ve settled in Dominican Republic, not to work, but to commit crimes, and pose a threat not only for Dominicans, but for us Haitians also," said Haitian national Jean Piantientie Pierre, quoted by local media.

He said he doesn’t understand why innocent people pay when one of his countrymen commits a crime.

Piantientie said Haitians living in the Dominican Republic are often victims of felonies perpetrated by criminals from his country, but go unreported by media.

The police said Ortega was calm yesterday and guaranteed the safety of Dominicans and Haitians as well.