THE CNMI Board of Parole on Friday approved nine clemency applications and forwarded them to the Office of the Governor.
According to the CNMI Constitution, “The governor shall have the power to grant reprieves, commutations and pardons after conviction for offenses after consultation with a board of parole.”
The nine applicants are Olen K. Jacob, Daniel Quitugua, Jose O. Rabauliman, Natividad C. Sablan, Geraldine D. Sebaklim, Kenny C. Cruz, Alfredo L. Saures, Ambrosio Ogumuro, and Edward A. Deleon Guerrero.
For its part, the Office of the Attorney General’s criminal division opposed granting clemency to Daniel Quitugua, Jose Rabauliman, and Edward Deleon Guerrero.
Chief Prosecutor Chester Hinds said Daniel Quitugua was convicted of numerous felony cases in local and federal courts.
“Quitugua falsely impersonated a police officer,” Hinds added.
He has also physically harmed a person, burglarized numerous vehicles and homes, and robbed and stolen countless items of property, Hinds added.
“The community should be protected for as long as possible from his various activities and criminal conduct,” Hinds said.
The prosecutor likewise opposed the clemency application of Jose Rabauliman.
According to Hinds, Rabauliman was found guilty of rape, criminal oral copulation, kidnapping, assault and battery and was sentenced to 41 years in prison all suspended except 30 years.
Hinds said Rabauliman does not deserve to be granted clemency.
“Rabauliman used various means to seek sympathy. Granting clemency or pardon implies that these crimes are not taken seriously, and sends a message that despite the nature of the crimes committed by Rabauliman, a grant of commutation or pardon will grant him with forgiveness and relief sought of the legal consequences imposed on him by the law,” Hinds said.
As for Edward Deleon Guerrero, Hinds noted that he was convicted of “very serious aggravated violent crimes.”
“It is highly important to consider the severity of these crimes, and the violent nature of the acts committed by Deleon Guerrero,” Hinds added. “We ask the board to deny his application for commutation or clemency.”
