February 11, 2012
Isn't it time that the community and officials unite to come up with solutions to end the trend of violent crimes?
Over the last year the number of reported domestic violence cases has skyrocketed. A new case comes to light almost weekly. From June to August 2011 there were numerous incidents of men attacking wives or girl friends: Christopher Magofna attacked his wife by slamming her head on a picnic table; police officer, Jerome A. Reyes was arrested for beating his girlfriend in front of her 9-year-old child; Manuel Chargualaf Santos attacked his wife in a drunken rage; Donald Ayuyu Hocog was charged with assault and battery for hitting his wife; Steven Allen Sahagong was arrested for beating his wife, son and son's girlfriend while drunk; William Teregeyo beat his elderly step-mother, two nieces and a nephew while in a drunken rage; a drunken John West Teregeyo was arrested after he beat his wife and threatened her with a knife; and Rhiner Augun Tiberke beat his wife and threatened her with a machete.
If you scan over the hundreds of domestic violence cases, you'll find that most of the violent attackers were under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
Sadly, many incidents of domestic violence involved children. In one case, Lee Jesse Omar Reyes attacked his wife and threw their tiny baby out the bedroom door.
Many attackers used dangerous weapons in the attacks, such as Juan Roberto who fired a rifle three times while attacking his wife this year and Joseph Manibusan Takai who also used a rifle in an attack on his wife. Vincente Limes Laniyo used a rifle, machete and a pocket knife in an attack on his wife that left her seriously injured. In perhaps the CNMI's most notorious domestic violence case, in 2003 Larry Banal Aguilar hacked his Filipina girlfriend to death with a machete after shooting her in the head with an air gun, while her young daughter watched in horror.
In some cases the weapons were not traditional. A broom was used as a weapon by Moses Buekis who attacked his wife last month. Cleofin Nesis Masao used a bench to strike his wife as she held her two-week-old baby. Christopher R. Dela Cruz used a PVC pipe to choke his wife; Brigido Itibus Ilo used a can of beer to attack his breast feeding wife. Mario Muna Reyes burned his wife with lit cigarettes. Arnold John Mesa was arrested for throwing hot soup on his wife.
Many of those arrested for domestic violence were government employees including police officers, a Tinian firefighter, and the resident director of the Tinian Health Center. Corrections officer Jesse R. Babauta beat his wife and threatened to kill her by locking her in a closet until she died. Does anyone trust government employees, especially police officers, who beat their own family members? Those who commit acts of violence should lose their government jobs.
Could harsher sentences be a deterrent to domestic violence? Too many of the sentences handed down in CNMI domestic violence cases have been insultingly lenient. Ilo who threw the can of beer at his wife while she was breast feeding her baby got 13 days, but the days were already served so he walked free!
Antonio Hocog Indalecio threatened to attack family members with a screwdriver and metal pipe while under the influence of illegal drugs. Superior Court Associate Judge David Wiseman sentenced him to 18 months in prison, all suspended except for 67 days, which were credited for the time he served in jail. He walked free. The sentence handed down to police officer Gordon Odoshi Seman who beat his wife while drunk was also astonishingly lenient. Associate Judge Kenneth Govendo let him walk free after he beat his wife in a drunken rage. He was sentenced only to probation, a small fine and was ordered to write a letter of apology. (I am assuming he was not removed from his position as police officer.)
In 2010 when Melvin N. Basa, a repeat offender, was sentenced to only 29 months in prison and five years of probation after attacking his mother-in-law with a knife. The mother-in-law told Associate Judge Kenneth Govendo that the sentence was too lenient. The Saipan Tribune reported:
Basa's mother-in-law asked the court to reconsider the 29-month prison term as she finds the sentence very lenient.In addition to the enormous number of cases of domestic violence, the number of rapes and sexual assaults in the CNMI is staggering in proportion to the small population. More alarming is the fact that the vast majority of the sexual assaults or rapes were committed against young girls and minors.
“I still cannot understand why you're giving him a lenient sentence of 29 months. It's not his first time!” the mother-in-law said.
She told Govendo that Basa pointed a knife at her and her husband. She said giving Basa a lenient sentence because he was drunk is not acceptable.
Over the years many of the offenders received lenient sentences and others were granted parole after serving a fraction of their sentences.
I have compiled a list of over 140 cases of sexual assaults, rapes, and attempted rapes where charges were filed or the assaults were reported. The cases date from between 1996 and 2012. I am sure that there are more –these represent only cases found through a search of newspaper archives. (As in many domestic violence cases, many rapes and sexual assaults are not reported because of threats, fear or shame.)
Some of the violent offenders attacked more than one person or were repeat offenders. There are hundreds of other cases where no charges were filed either because they were not reported to authorities or the authorities did not press charges. The following are some cases that were reported:
- In January 2012 a club worker was raped at her apartment in Garapan. Unsolved case.
- In November 2011 Robustiano Rull Matsutaro was charged with attempted rape, assault and battery, and disturbing the peace.
- In August 2011 Tinian resident Alvin Lizama raped two minors. One became pregnant and delivered a child. He was charged with sexual abuse of a minor in the first degree, sexual assault in the first degree, and assault and battery. The rapist’s mother, Admanita Lizama was charged child neglect, and failure to report.
- In August 2011 Wayne Camacho Lizama was charged with sexual abuse of a minor in the second degree and disturbing the peace for acts involving a 14-year old girl.
- In June 2011 Blas A. Manzanares was arrested for sexual abuse of a minor in the second degree.
- In May 2011 Jose Ilo Santos "Grandpa Ping" was arrested for sexual assault in the first degree..
- In April 2011 Brandon L. Borja was charged with sexual abuse of a minor in the first degree, sexual assault in the first degree, assault and battery, burglary, and disturbing the peace.
- In March 2011 Anthony Raymond Mendiola Camacho was charged with assault, assault and battery, disturbing the peace, sexual assault in the first degree, sexual assault in the second degree, indecent exposure in the second degree, and kidnapping.
- In March 2011 Joseph Inos, Jr was charged with sexually assaulting a minor, a WIA trainee in his DPW Office. Charges were assault and battery, false arrest, and misconduct in public office and disturbing the peace. He only was found guilty of disturbing the peace. While he could have been charged with sexual assault, Inos has political and family connections. His father, former Rota Mayor Joseph Inos was accused of raping a bar girl in 1994. He was never charged.
- In March 2011 Rogelio Nuesca Dela Cruz was arrested for sexual abuse of a minor in the second degree, assault and battery, and disturbing the peace.
- In 2011 John Ibanez Carreon was charged with sexually abusing a 12 year old Tinian girl since she was 8 or 9 years old.
- In 2011 Frank Kaneshi with two counts of sexual abuse of a minor in the second degree.
- Peterkin Floresca Tababa was charged with sexual abuse of a minor in the first degree and sexual abuse of a minor in the second degree. He impregnated a 12 year old child.
- In October 2010 Michael Jackson was charged with kidnapping, sexual assault in the first degree, and assault over the alleged rape of a 15-year-old girl.
- In October 2010 Benson John Dela Cruz was charged with sexual assault in the first degree and assault and battery for raping a minor.
- In 2010 Juan Camacho Taitano, was convicted of two counts of sexual abuse of a minor in the second degree.
- In 2010 Paul H. Taitano was charged with burglary, sexual assault, assault and battery, and disturbing the peace.
- In 2010 Tyrone Farley Reyes Fitial, a guard at the Juvenile Detention Center was charged with five counts of sexual abuse of a minor in the second degree, two counts of unlawful exploitation of a minor, one count of assault and battery, one count of misconduct in public office, one count of failure to report child abuse or neglect, and one count of sexual servitude of a minor. He sexually assaulted three underage girls.
- In 2010 Tinian police officer Jason N. Ayuyu was arrested for two counts of sex abuse of a minor in the first degree for having sex with a 14-year-old girl.
- In 2010 Mekin Junior Joseph was charged with sexual assault in the first degree (rape), sexual abuse of a minor, assault with a dangerous weapon, assault and battery, and disturbing the peace.
- In 2010 Angel Jess Santos, Joseph Camacho Jr., Alfred P. Hocog, and Ivan Jones Castro were charged with rape, kidnapping, sexual abuse, aggravated assault and battery, and disturbing the peace charges involving a 16-year-old girl. (Castro raped and impregnated a 13-year-old in 2001.)
- In 2010 Geoffrey K. Cabrera of Tinian was charged with sexual assault of a minor, assault and battery, disturbing the peace and contempt of court.
- In 2010 Geraldine Marie Sanchez was charged with sexual abuse of a minor in the first and second degrees, and sexual abuse of a minor in the fourth degree. She sexually assaulted a 15-year-old boy.
- In 2010 Steven Romie Augon was convicted of one count of sexual abuse of a minor in the second degree.
- In 2010 Denmar E. Malabanan was arrested in Chalan Kanoa for sexual abuse of a child. He had a sexual relationship with a 13-year-old girl in 2006.
- In 2010 Noel Bautista was indicted for the sexual assault of a 9-year-old child.
- In March 2009 a 9-year-old child was raped in her home. The case was never solved.
- In 2010 Robert Kotep Shineach was sentenced to 25 years in prison for two counts of sexual abuse of a minor in the first degree. He sexually abused two sisters; one became pregnant and gave birth.
- In 2010 Shafiqul Islam was sentenced to 15 years in prison for sexual abuse of a minor in the first degree.
- In 2009 John Sanchez was arrested for sexually abusing a minor and slapping her.
- In 2009 a woman was allegedly raped by Joseph Ray Arriola, Jr. and Kurt B. King. A jury found King not guilty.
- In 2009 Manuel Sotto Cabrera, Jr. was charged with sexual abuse of a minor in the second and third degree for raping a girl at Tank Beach.
- In 2009 Geoffrey K. Cabrera was arrested for sexual abuse of a minor in the second degree, and sexual assault in the first degree for having sex with a 14-year-old.
- In 2009 former police officer Jason Naputi Ayuyu was convicted of sexual abuse of a minor in the third degree.
- In 2009 Jimmy John Castro Mendiola was charged with sexually abusing a minor on Rota.
- In 2008 Rolando P. Mangalinao was charged with sexual assault in the first degree and sexual assault in the second degree. He raped his neighbor twice and broke her ribs.
- In 2008 Sanitro Estrada was convicted of sexually abusing a 5-year-old girl at a residence in Chalan Kanoa.
- In 2008 Patrick Mendiola Calvo was charged with sexually assaulting a 13 year old girl. He was later sentenced to 8 years in prison. In 2000, the government filed two criminal cases against Calvo for allegedly sexually abusing two female minors in 1997 and 1998. The jury acquitted him in one case and in November 2005 the court dismissed the second case after the government moved to drop the charges.
- In 2007 Pasqual Deleon Guerrero was charged with sexual abuse of a minor in the first degree and sexual abuse of a minor in the second degree.
- In 2007 Kirk Manalo Palacios was arrested for sexual abuse of a minor 14-year-old girl and charged with 5 counts of sexual abuse of a minor in the second degree.
- In 2007 Jonayed Hossain was convicted of sexually assaulting a minor who later got pregnant.
- In 2007 teacher Peter Edward Gannon was convicted of assaulting a dancer who refused to have sex with him.
- In 2007 James Norita Kintaro of Rota was charged with sexual assault in the first degree, sexual assault in the second degree, assault and battery involving a 16-year-old girl.
- In 2007 Kent William Atalig was charged with sexual assault in the first degree, assault and battery and assault.
- In 2007 Ramon Camacho San Nicolas was convicted of sexual abuse of a minor in the first degree and or sexual assault in the second degree for sexually assaulting 2 young boys on a team he coached.
- In 2007 Arnel Cunanan Gutierrez was charged with one count of kidnapping and one count of sexual abuse of a minor in the second degree.
- In 2007 Gerald C. Sablan was charged with sexually assaulting his girlfriend.
- In 2006 Jose Rodante Javier of Tinian was charged with sexual assault in the 1st degree, sexual assault in the 2nd degree, sexual abuse of a minor in the first degree, and sexual assault in the second degree.
- In 2005 Roman V. Cabrera was charged with sexual abuse of a child in the third degree for molesting a 15-year-old girl.
- In 2005 Michael Benavente Angel was charged with three counts of sexual abuse of a minor in the third degree.
- In 2005 Crispin Taitano of Rota was convicted of receiving child porn and he was sentenced to 5 years in federal prison.
- In 2005 Rodney Taimanao Deleon Guererro was charged with two counts of sexually abusing a minor in the third degree.
- In 2005 Juan DeLeon Guererro Manalo was charged with sadistic sexual and physical abuse of his wife and for allegedly threatening to rape the woman's two children.
- In 2005 Philip Ansa Mino was charged with trespassing, assault and battery, disturbing the peace, sexual assault in the first degree, sexual assault in the 2nd degree, and resisting arrest.
- In 2005 Rogelio Abrece Deducin was arrested for attempted sexual assault in the first degree, sexual assault in the second degree, assault and battery, disturbing the peace, kidnapping, and false arrest.
- In 2005 Salik Aliksa Monkeya was charged with sexual abuse of a 15-year-old girl.
- In 2005 ex-Tinian Council Chair Ignacio Cabrera was found guilty of two counts of sexual abuse of a minor in the second degree, three counts of disturbing the peace, one count of attempted sexual abuse of a minor in the second degree, two counts of sexual assault in the second degree, and one count of attempted sexual assault in the second degree.
- In 2005 Alex K. Borja was charged with sexual abuse of a minor in the second degree.
- In 2005 Collier Ng Siksei was charged with three counts of sexually abusing a child.
- In 2005 Manuel A. Pinaula was arrested for sexually assaulting 11-year-old and 13-year-old girls.
- In 2005 Perlito Galang San Jose was charged with rape and criminal oral copulation.
- In 2005 Wilfredo Corrales was charged with sexual abuse of a minor in first and second degrees.
- In 2004 Faustino Joe Elias was charged with sexually molesting a minor girl.
- In 2004 a woman was the victim of a brutal beating and attempted rape. Unsolved.
- In 2004 Joselito Castro was convicted of sexual assault, sexual abuse of a minor, assault and battery, and disturbing the peace, involving a 9-year-old girl.
- In 2004 George B. Dela Cruz was charged with two counts of sexual assault in the first degree and a count each of sexual assault in the second degree, kidnapping, assault and battery, and disturbing the peace.
- In 2004 Jose B. Manglona of Tinian was charged with molesting a woman.
- In 2004 Rep.Norman Palacios was convicted for "touching a woman's private part" in a Tinian bar.
- In 2004 Pablo Gacayan Mendoza was charged with burglary, trespassing, assault, assault with a dangerous weapon, two counts of assault and battery, disturbing the peace, and sexual assault in the first and second degrees.
- In 2004 John W. Teregeyo was charged with sexual assault in the first degree, incest and assault and battery for sexually assaulting his 15-year-old niece.
- In 2004 Walter Taitingfong was charged with sexual assault in the first degree, sexual abuse of a minor in the first degree, sexual abuse of a minor in the second degree, and disturbing the peace.
- In 2004 Juan Borja Camacho was charged with sexually abusing a then 12-year-old girl.
- In 2004 Eric Lizama was charged with sexual abuse of a minor in the second degree for acts involving a 14-year-old girl.
- In 2004 Melvin Dela Cruz was charged with two counts of sexual assault in the second degree for acts involving a 15-year-old girl.
- In 2003 Milton B. Cruz was charged with sexual assault of a 13-year-old girl.
- In 2003 Jesus Majadillas Locanas was charged with five counts of assault and battery and six counts of disturbing the peace.
- In 2003 Atkar Hossain was charged with sexual assault in the second degree, sexual assault of a minor in the second degree, and for disturbing the peace.
- In 2003 Price Shoeter was three counts each of sexual abuse of a minor in the second degree, sexual assault in the second degree, and sexual assault and battery. Hutton also charged Shoeter with three counts of disturbing the peace.
- In 2003 Roman Cabrera was arrested for sexual abuse of a 15-year-old child.
- In 2003 Felix Babauta Cepeda was charged with assault and battery for "attempting to have sex with a woman."
- In 2003 a teacher was raped inside a Tanapag Elementary School classroom by Frankie Babuta Castro who was also charged with assault and kidnapping. In April 2000 he was arrested for assault and battery, assault with a dangerous weapon (chased his wife with a knife), illegal possession of marijuana and disturbing the peace. It seems he did not have a very long sentence because within three years he was raping a teacher.
- In 2003 Ivan Castro was charged with raping and impregnating a thirteen year old girl. (He was charged in 2010 of raping a 1-year-old.)
- In 2003 Callen M. San Nicolas was convicted on one count of child abuse for sexually molesting a 9-year-old girl. (The government also charged San Nicolas with sexual abuse, sexual molestation and assault battery, but did not prosecute the first other charges.) The Saipan Tribune reported: "San Nicolas was arrested on Guam in 1980 for criminal sex misconduct and custodial interference. In 1989, San Nicolas was also nabbed on Guam for burglary, and had been convicted for misdemeanor assault in 1993, and also in 1998 on Guam. Authorities caught San Nicolas in 1998 for family violence and assault."
- In 2003 Juan Alfonso Augustine was convicted of sexual abuse of a minor.
- In 2002 Michael J. Dodd was charged with sexually assaulting elementary school children. He was paroled after serving only five years. He was then arrested in Cambodia for sexually abusing a minor.
- In 2002 Larry Ayuyu was charged with attempted rape, burglary, assault and battery and disturbing the peace involving a 14-year-old girl.
- In 2002 Vincent Raymond Attao was arrested for sexual assault in the first degree for raping a 25-year-old woman.
- In 2002 Gabriel Grogthrog and Oscar Meeyog were arrested for kidnapping, beating, raping and sodomizing a woman.
- In 2002 Norman Tenorio and Rex Rosokow Jose were charged with sexual abuse of a minor in the first degree and incest for raping their 13-year-old niece. Jose was paroled in 2005.
- In 2002 Pedro Borja was charged with child sexual abuse.
- In 2002 Joseph Diaz Sablan was convicted of oral copulation and sexual abuse of a child.
- In 2002 George Abago Aguon was convicted of first degree criminal sexual assault.
- In 2001 Ai Fang Han (Mimi), a Chinese garment worker, was raped and murdered. Her body was found at Obyan Beach. Case unsolved.
- In 2001a Japanese tourist was allegedly raped twice by a local man in the waters at Managahan Island.
- In 2001 Larry R. Poll of Rota was charged with sexually assaulting a five-year-old girl.
- In 2001 a Hopwood Jr. High School girl was raped by a 14-year-old classmate.
- In 2001 a 34-year-old woman was assaulted and raped by a 14-year-old.
- In 2001 Henry San Nicolas was charged with three counts of sexual abuse of a child and two counts of oral copulation with a minor.
- In 2001 former police chief Antonio Aldan Reyes was charged with 2 counts of child abuse for sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl.
- In 2001 Ambrose Delong was charged with sexual assault of a minor.
- In 2001Crizaldo M. Valdez, pleaded guilty to an attempted rape of a 19-year-old girl.
- In 2001 Seremea Isy Nowell was charged with four counts of kidnapping, attempted rape, assault and battery, and false arrest.
- In 2001 Diego Sablan Cabrera and Allen Teliu were charged with kidnapping, conspiracy, assault and battery and attempted rape of a Tinian woman.
- In 2001 a 17-year-old boy was arrested for attempted rape of a 16-year -old girl.
- In 2001Salden Manuel was charged with rape and sexual abuse of a 13-year-old girl.
- In 2001 Harris I. Taivero raped and impregnated a 16-year-old girl.
- In 2001 Alvin Lee John was charged with having sexual contact with a girl under 18 years old.
- In 2001 Emerson Dave Roligat Limes was charged with molesting an 8-year-old relative.
- In 2000 Lucas Taitano Manglona was charged with three counts of attempted rape, assault and battery, and burglary.
- In 2000 Angel Villanueva Palacios was charged with sexually abuse of a 23 month old female baby.
- In 2000 Derick San Nicolas was charged with raping a minor.
- In 2000 John Ikesil was charged with the kidnapping and rape of a mentally-handicapped girl.
- In 2000 a teacher at a private school was raped by a 17 year-old boy.
- In 2000 Mark Wayne Torres was charged with assault and battery, aggravated assault and battery, assault with dangerous weapon, robbery, rape and kidnapping. He raped and brutally beat a Chinese hotel worker. Her cheekbones were broken.
- In 2000 Pedro Pangelinan Cabrera kidnapped and raped his niece. The rape charges were dropped in a plea agreement. The violent criminal previously was convicted of murdering a police officer.
- In 2000 Joseph Diaz Sablan was charged with oral copulation, rape and sexuakl abuse of a 17-year-old child.
- In 2000 Michael Matteo was charged with rape sexual abuse of a child and assault and battery.
- In 1999 Taitano Teruo Achipan was arrested on charges of rape, kidnapping and assault and battery of a 28-year-olf Chuukese woman.
- In 1999 Coastal Resources Management Director Felipe Q. Atalig was charged with sexual harassment by CRM staff.
- In 1999 Irvin Dela Cruz Songao was charged with child abuse for allegedly having sex with a 13-year old girl.
- In 1998 two Chinese woman were gang-raped by four men. Jose O. Rabauliman, and Hadley F. Renguul, were found guilty of kidnapping, criminal oral copulation and rape and sentenced to 30 years in prison. Sheldon Yano was charged with a prison riot and was being held in federal prison so the AGO dropped the charges against him. The other rapist, Jake Ito testified against Rabauliman and Renguul and was sentenced to 10 years in prison. Rabuliman served a fraction of his sentence and in 2010 was charged with assault and battery and disturbing the peace. He served only two months in prison and was given no probation. Jake Ito was released early and robbed a garment factory. The judge sentenced him to 10 days in prison.
- In 1998 Peter A. Manibusan was charged with four counts of sexual abuse of a child involving a 9-year-old child.
- In 1998 Joseph Arriola was charged with 5 counts of sexual abuse of a minor for sexual abuse of a 15-year-old.
- In 1997 Anthony Peter Rios was convicted of three counts of sexual abuse of a child, two counts of oral copulation and a count of rape. In 2002 he was charged with sexual assault in the first degree, sexual assault in the second degree, assault and battery, and disturbing the peace and was convicted in 2003.
- In 1996 Isidro Cabrera, a government official, was accused of forcible rape and oral copulation" of a foreign worker who was being held in the immigration detention center. He agreed to pay the victim restitution.
Reported rapes and sexual assaults have been common in CNMI clubs and massage parlors where women and young girls have been sold to customers against their will. Some clubs kept V.I.P. lists with the names of their best customers who included officials and CNMI government employees, complete with phone numbers. (I have one such list.) I can list dozens of women that I personally know who reported being raped as a result of their employers selling them to men for sex. In most of the cases, no arrests were made, even though many of the women documented the incidents and reported them to authorities.
In the U.S. State Department's 2010 Trafficking in Persons Report these CNMI crimes were highlighted:
In the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI), forced labor and forced prostitution have at times been such high-profile issues that a Federal Labor Ombudsman, with an office established within DOI by Congress, operates in the Commonwealth. This office has documented labor abuses as well as numerous claims of foreign women forced into prostitution. Traffickers have been prosecuted for forcing Chinese women into prostitution in a karaoke bar as well as forcing Filipinos to labor and into commercial sexual exploitation. Labor trafficking was also of concern because temporary workers exceed the number of U.S. citizens in the 176 square mile Commonwealth. CNMI enacted its Anti-Trafficking Act in 2005 and has a DOJ funded task force on the largest island, Saipan. In 2008, the most recent year for which data is available, the NGO working on the task force assisted 14 human trafficking victims. CNMI is currently transitioning from independent control of immigration and labor enforcement to federal law and DHS assumed immigration and border control during the reporting period. During the reporting period, DOI requested that the Federal Bureau of Investigation send additional federal investigators to the CNMI to handle the expanding caseload.In the 2011 Trafficking in Persons Report the situation in the CNMI was described as follows:
In CNMI, there were six reported human trafficking cases involving multiple victims held in clubs, restaurants and massage parlors. A trend was observed involving the cancellation of victims’ return airplane tickets upon admission, stranding them with no !nancial means to return and rendering them wholly dependent on their employers. During the reporting period, the Federal Labor Ombudsman identified 71 victims of trafficking or fraud in labor contracting, of whom about 20 percent were sex trafficking victims. In 2010, the NGO working on the local anti-traf!cking task force assisted 36 human trafficking victims and 40 fraud in labor contracting victims; an additional 31 victims qualified for services but could not be assisted due to insuf!cient funds.While some of the CNMI cases of forced prostitution or human trafficking have been prosecuted, most have not. The following represents a few of the cases where charges were filed:
If you want to be a voice in the campaign to end violence against women and children join the Take Back the Night event to be held tonight.
On Monday, February 13, 2012 from 8:00 pm until 9:30 pm, a candlelight vigil will be held in remembrance of Emie Romero.
The vigil will take place on Palm Street next to Beach Road, near Godfather's Bar. Please gather in the street by 8:00 PM. At 8:30, a walk will be led around the Garapan Tourist District (clockwise from Godfather's to Winchell's, Fiesta, Hyatt, and back to Godfather's by 9:00 PM).
There will be a moment of silence at 9:00 PM, followed by prayer and song. Please wear white.
Candles will be available for a $5 donation. All proceeds will go to support Emie's two children in the Philippines. Donations will also be accepted at Godfather's Bar and you can donate online HERE.
Who: YouGet more information or get help:
What: Candlelight Vigil
Where: Garapan, meeting near Godfather's
When: Monday, February 13, 2012 from 8:00pm until 9:30pm
Why: To remember Emie, take a stand against violence in our community, and raise some money for her two kids.
Take Back the Night
CNMI Domestic Violence Hotline and information
Karidat and Guma Eseperansa
Victim Hotlines:
Saipan 234-5100
Tinian 433-0361
Rota 532-0444
29 comments:
I understand that there have been some high profile cases, however I keep hearing people respond by saying we need tougher punishments. To my knowledge the CNMI has the toughest punishment for Domestic Abuse of any U.S. territory. In almost all states someone convicted of a first offense domestic assault can receive a deferred sentence and never even have the conviction even appear on their criminal record if they complete probation or undergo counseling. In the CNMI, there is a mandatory 3 day sentence for something as slight as a push. If tougher sentences really worked, the CNMI would have the lowest drug problem and lowest domestic abuse in the United States. Maybe we need to try to tackle the high incidence of alcholism, bi-polar and other mental disorders that are rampant on the island.
I was the teacher in 2000 that was attacked by a 17 year old. He was sentenced for 6 years and now runs free. I still wonder what his life is like now and if he is a continuous threat to others.
Abuse against women and children in Muslim countries dwarfs the CNMI and everywhere else and I've traveled extensively. You are naming names but start with some real statistics and facts. The CNMI is still a very safe place.
For a small group of islands,a very scary list indeed. Makes one wonder how many got off and never charged.
As of 2004, at least 13 other states had mandatory jail time for DV assault. Tennessee may soon be added to the list. The trend is against expungement or suspended imposition of sentence, because a "first offense" is really only the first time the defendant has actually been arrested, after numerous other incidents. Establishing the history of violence in a chronically abusive relationship is the best way to ensure effective prosecution and ultimately save lives.
8:28 I am so very sorry.
I was looking at the sexual offender registry and I noticed that it covers only a fraction of the people who were charged with crimes. I am guessing that perhaps they were not all convicted, or perhaps some of the ones who were convicted have not registered, they died or they left the CNMI.
8:51 Abuse against women and children anywhere is a heinous crime. I could find no statistics to support your theory. In fact, it would be almost impossible to support, since rape and sexual assault are crimes that are often unreported.
You think that the CNMI is "a very safe place?" It is not. Yes, there are many unsafe places, but the CNMI has become one of the most unsafe places on U.S. soil. Unsafe, not just because of the high incidence of crime, but also because there is no stable health care system, no stable utility system, no stable retirement system, no stable economy, no stable government, an inferior school system, and corruption oozing from every corner. The vast majority of people generally watch silently as the island crumbles around them, instead of acting to reform. Others, like you, deny the problems so they grow like untreated cancer. It is very sad that one of the most beautiful places on earth also has such an ugly side.
Saipan, it's time to wake-up. It's time to clean this island-up. Too many incidents of domestic violence and sexual assaults have been left unnoticed or ignored.
This HAS to stop. There is no reliability on the justice system. No transparency and accountability in DPS. We are quick to cover acts of violence because the perpetrator is a member of our family. Nepotism in this island festered the morality and conscience of men.
Drugs and problems related to alcohol are prevalent in this island. But what has been done to change this? When was the last drug bust in the island? What about prostitution? We all know it's happening and where it's happening, right? But not a damn thing is done to stop it.
People have lost their sense of morality and dignity.
Mindsets need to change.
Come'on, CNMI, instead of buying a case of beer and partying every other day, pay attention to what's going on around you. Invest your money to your children. Invest on something bigger than your life and "good time".
We are all responsible for what's going on here.
Want to stop domestic violence? Get more female cops and judges. Want to end rape? Enforce mandatory castration.
The crime seems to be worsening as many predicted and the theft is following the economy, and it will get much worse. The corruption and nepotism haven’t improved at all, if anything, they are worse. Spousal abuse and child abuse have always been bad here and to a large degree swept under the rug, but I have no statistical data to say whether or not it’s on the increase, but studies show poor economics and domestic violence are related. I agree the water, power, and abysmal medical facilities have threatened our quality of life, but I genuinely don’t think this is a scary dangerous place, because if I did, I would move. So where do we move? Should we move to PI or the US mainland? I know a small town in PI that had 126 (not Manila) murders in 2011, or about one every three days. The incidence of kidnapping there is a daily concern and odds of successful prosecution of the perpetrators are ZERO. The pollution and traffic alone make the dangers much worse than here. The US has 15.5 murders per 100k, about four times higher than the CNMI, but if deaths on the road were included, PI and the US would be TEN times as dangerous. Emie was a nice girl that I had known for a long time and everyone is sick over this, but I do not think the Commonwealth is among the world’s dangerous places. We have had a deranged individual go berserk, three iced up HS students commit a murder, a poker robbery murder, and two little girls go missing the past several years besides this crime, so it ain’t perfect, but I don’t know anywhere that is. We have corrupt governance, a beggars mentality of entitlement from the US, poor educational opportunities, and Juan (need I say more) B. running the hospital, but we also have some peaceful characteristics not found everywhere and a predominantly gun-less society with many kind non-violent residents.
The CNMI crime is off the charts proportionately compared to any place with such a small population, like any small US town. But why I'm leaving is the fall of the hospital. We're all taking chances in case we're in a car crash or get really sick. I could take a chance if it's just me, but not for my kids.
Weatherman, the US homicide rate is under 5. If the CNMI were like the rest of the US, 2.5 people would be murdered each year.
PS And this is a great post by the way and outlines the specifics for all the world to see.
Almost every (9?) one listed here is sexual abuse of a minor (and spouses) which does seem alarming and high.
When I lived on Rota, I reported a case that the then principal, now Senator, said was cultural. To be on the safe side, I also reported it to DPS, DYS, and the feds in case any of them didn't think forcing a 13 yr old to sleep with here 45 yr old uncle was normal.
teacher, your math is wrong: http://www.disastercenter.com/crime/uscrime.htm
The US does not have 15.5 murders per 100,000
The latest data shows 5.2 murders per 100,000 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_intentional_homicide_rate
That's about 1/3 of your exaggerated rate. The Philippines latest rate is 5.4 murders per 100,000
My mistake on the 15 vs 5 as I Googled America but wrote down the numbers for the Americas…as in the two continents. I still don’t know the exact NMI rate but it must be 3 or 4 which is about the Oceana and SE Asian norm. We ain’t Japan or Singapore(both well under 1 per 100), but we are a lot better than US cities.
1. Most Dangerous in America: New Orleans, Louisiana Murder Rate – 52 (per 100k)
2. Most Dangerous in America: Gary, Indiana Murder Rate - 51
3. Most Dangerous in America: Richmond, California Murder Rate - 46
4. Most Dangerous in America: Camden, New Jersey Murder Rate - 43
5. Most Dangerous in America: East Chicago, Indiana Murder Rate - 40
6. Most Dangerous in America: St. Louis, Missouri Murder Rate - 40
7. Most Dangerous in America: Detroit, Michigan Murder Rate - 40
8. Most Dangerous in America: Compton, California Murder Rate - 38
9. Most Dangerous in America: Chester, Pennsylvania Murder Rate - 38
10. Most Dangerous in America: Baltimore, Maryland Murder Rate - 37
And for the record:
Four of the top 10 most dangerous metropolitan areas for pedestrians are in Florida, according to a new report by a transportation and environmental group. The top four are Orlando, Miami, Jacksonville and Tampa. More than 47,700 pedestrians were killed in the U.S. between 2000 and 2009, and the majority of those deaths were preventable, according to Transportation for America. The group blames roadway designs backed by federal dollars for the unsafe conditions. 688,000 pedestrians were injured over the decade, a number equivalent to a pedestrian being struck by a car or truck every seven minutes. The report says that 12 percent of all nationwide fatalities are pedestrians. Of these fatalities, nearly 4,000 are children.
As for the Philippines, 86k persons were either raped, kidnapped, or murdered in 2010, so I don’t understand that comment above…certainly no one on earth would compare the safety factors between PI and Saipan unless you haven’t travelled much or haven’t been there in decades. Crimes against tourists in PI are disproportionately high. Angeles news recently reported 126 murders in 2011, 90 against tourists, and have recently allowed non-residents to carry hand guns!!! PI is the only place I've seen sawed off shotguns protecting a 5 pesos ice cream stand, a .45 long barrel on the inside of a pizza parlor and a kid with 9 mil w/14 shot clip and 1 in the chamber inside bullet proof glass...and thats the same pizza place.
Thank you for this Wall of Shame. I am sooo angry over the handling of the 911 call in Emie's case. I have absolutely no confidence that if my kids or I ever cry for help that it will be answered. Also, the brutal rape happened before Emie's murder, but where was it in the media so that females could extra precautions? Would Emie have been getting in the car with a man at 3AM if she knew there was a violent pervert on the loose??
We could have several serial rapists and/or serial killers on this island. Thank God Mafnas is here to save us.
Public Caning!! I have heard it works great in Singapore
3:42 I'd take my chances in the states than Saipan if I had a choice. The overall quality of life here would hit the lowest number on the scale. If everyone raped in the NMI came forward the list would be so long that Wendy couldn't fit it here. Add the ones that the cops hide and it'd be longer still. If it wasn't told here about the rape before Emie's death, would the cops have come out? You aren't helping by defending this mess and trying to make it less than it is. People like you are why nothing will change. And since we'll all be gone, you and 8:51 please turn out the light. Oh, forgot that the OUC will totally fail soon. No need.
Hi Ron
Yes, the large cities in Florida have high numbers of pedestrians deaths. I live here. I drive. I cannot even begin to count the number of times my heart almost stopped as I slammed on the brakes trying to avoid people running across a 4 to 6 lane road or main street. We have so many people from foreign countries who need to be taught what a pedestrian walk is. They'll run across the road when the light is green 15 feet from a crosswalk. Another cause of pedestrian death is daylight savings time. Children are waiting for buses when it is still dark outside. Dangerous!
13 states may have a "mandatory minimum" sentence, but as far as actual jail time that must be imposed, the CNMI is the harshest. Out of states with a "mandatory minimum" jail sentence, Nevada has a 2 day mandatory sentence that can be converted to community service if the defendant is willing to undergo counseling. Other states with a "minimum mandatory" jail sentence allow first offender programs where there is no record of a conviction provided the defendant completes anger management or family counseling. The trend is to help keep the family together and get counseling, possibly even group counseling, so that the abuse will not continue.
You are incorrect. The trend is definitely NOT for counseling, because the only effective type of program is intensive batterers' intervention, which typically takes about 36 weeks. We don't have it in the CNMI, and probably never will. Anger management makes batterers more effective as abusers, and is no longer favored. Joint counseling is a cruel joke; making a victim go with her torturer to counseling sessions was never a good idea. Several states and even some municipalities have comparable penalties. And if ours is the strictest, we should be proud. If the OAG would stick to its "no-drop" policy, and if DPS would do its job, we might make a dent in the problem.
who cares about what States have more crimes? WHO CARES ABOUT STATISTICS?
These type of crimes should NEVER be tolerated anywhere, no matter how small the stats are.
We should all be outraged by what's going on in CNMI.
Don't find condolences because we have a low crime rate compared to other States.
The real problem is that we have these walks and nothing really becomes of it except people get a free t-shirt.
To really address the problem of domestic violence in the CNMI, we need to have drug treatment, anger management and family counseling readily available as an option of the Court. Locking people up for 10 years really doesn't help matters when they get out and haven't learned a lesson. I think jail makes some offenders worse. We need to take back the night and invest in treatment programs that are proven to reduce recidivism.
Indeed, the major social problem in the CNMI, bar none, is the absurd proliferation of silly walks, marches, and protests.
It is precisely all these walks that have caused the problem. People participate, then think they have "done something."
The so-called Unity March of December 7, 2007 was the worst, because it gave cover to vengeful Democrats like George Miller and his vindictive sidekick Allen P. Stayman to strike back at the CNMI in retaliation for Abramoff's temporary successes. The Commonwealth is still suffering from this gross human rights violation by Miller, Stayman, and pals.
Then we go and vote for a sycophant Delegate like Kilili who perpetuates the colonial welfare mentality imposed by the Peace Corps left-overs.
Shame, shame, on American soil! Reap what you sow.
Instead of bogus marches, why not everyone try to improve himself? Spread good by doing good, not attacking those sacrificing themselves for the betterment of society.
Better yet, be the change you want to see. Get a degree in criminal justice and return to join DPS. Get a law degree and become a prosecutor, or a nursing degree and return to CHC. Run for local office. Personally help people in need, or give advice in person. Move to a residence in walking distance from your work.
The solution to our problems lies within!
I read through this post again...sickening, and then then left this comment below on mvariety.
Wendy's blog at unheardnomore has an itemized list of some CNMI crimes the past few years and it is quite alarming. The original point was that the Commonwealth is the most dangerous place in America. At first i didn't agree, but after reading through the list of pedophiles and perverts among us(many back out on the street due to our catch and release program), and knowing many others that weren’t reported in the news(like the girl raped at knifepoint 7 days before Emie was murdered) or not prosecuted, perhaps it is accurate to say the CNMI is the most dangerous place in the United States for little boys and girls, and also for young foreign national women. If you don’t believe that I would encourage you to read the blog post before you comment.
7:26 Please seek mental health help if you seriously believe these words you wrote:
"Indeed, the major social problem in the CNMI, bar none, is the absurd proliferation of silly walks, marches, and protests.
It is precisely all these walks that have caused the problem. People participate, then think they have "done something."
The so-called Unity March of December 7, 2007 was the worst, because it gave cover to vengeful Democrats like George Miller and his vindictive sidekick Allen P. Stayman to strike back at the CNMI in retaliation for Abramoff's temporary successes. The Commonwealth is still suffering from this gross human rights violation by Miller, Stayman, and pals.
There is a hospital on life support, a broken utility system, a near bankrupt government, discrimination and hatred towards aliens even at federally funded offices, complete corruption and YOU think that walks, marches and protests are the major social problem in the CNMI? Actually, people who think like you are a major problem. Liars, people who make baseless claims and promote propaganda are a greater danger to society than expressing one's First Amendment rights. Throughout history marches, protests and walks have brought attention to severe problems and have brought about needed social changes.
And the stupidest lie is the one that Stayman and Miller are the CNMI's enemies. They are not. They support justice and democracy, unlike the leaders of the CNMI who support any idea that will fill their pockets or get them elected or re-elected. Grown ups accept responsibility for the messes that they make and clean them up. Children make excuses and defend the mess. Who are you?
Nothing will start change until the attitude of the voters change and we change the elected and put (and elect) competent people in positions that they are qualified for instead of putting them their because of family name.
BTW, Wendy that is a very good list, but as other have mentioned there are some missing that I am aware of, (but do not know the disposition of the case) I am sure that there are many more that various people are aware of also.
8:34 I am sure so many names are missing. It was so difficult and time-consuming to gather the data for the list that I just decided to print what I had. If you or any other reader has another name of an offender with a link or documentation please feel free to post it or email it to me and I will add it. Thanks.
It is very unlikely that these cases, statistics or crimes will stop under this administration that is filled with cabinet members who should be undergoing anger management and focus more on silly fights with the federal government or making traffick stops of aliens on the way to work at DPS and then slapping or worse the poor driver for no reason other than he can. To expect change out of these bullies is truly living in Pollyana land.
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