Chief Parole Officer Joseph T. Guerrero said Diaz, 51, underwent “stringent questioning” by each member of the board.
“Mr. Diaz needed help, and we saw an opportunity to allow him to become a changed man,” said Camacho, an anti-crime advocate.
Prior to his parole application, Variety learned, Diaz was granted a weekend furlough by the Department of Corrections.
This was because Diaz showed good behavior and conduct while incarcerated since 2001, said Camacho, a former police major who is also the current chairman of the Saipan and Northern Islands Municipal Council
Diaz was sentenced to a 25-year jail term without the possibility of parole.
But Gov. Benigno R. Fitial commuted his sentence, which allowed him to seek parole.
Camacho said whenever the board convenes for parole hearings, their primary task is to ensure that an inmate/applicant will be a productive citizen when he or she returns to the community.
Diaz is a repeat offender.
Camacho said each member of the board asked Diaz what he could do for the community.
It was board member Alexander Apatang from Rota who suggested that Diaz should compose and record a song about drug abuse in the commonwealth.
This was after the board learned that Diaz used to be a musician.
Camacho said they also required Diaz to speak about drug abuse in schools.
Guerrero said Diaz has already enrolled at the Northern Mariana Islands Trade Institute, which is also part of the board’s special conditions.
Camacho and Guerrero at the same time asked the public to participate and provide inputs during parole hearings which are open to the public and are announced before they are conducted.
Besides Camacho and Apatang, the other board members are Wally Villagomez of Tinian, Eugenio Villagomez of Tinian, Rose Ada-Hocog of Saipan and Mametto Ayuyu of Rota, whose term expired on April 16.
Attorney General Edward T. Buckingham serves as the board’s legal counsel.
