DPS acting spokesman Jason T. Tarkong said the U.S. Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal Detachment Marianas and the Emergency Management Office will conduct the operation with the DPS.
Tarkong said that on Aug. 7, the road to Marpi will be closed to tour and dive operators, bikers, joggers, farmers and the general public from 12 noon to 3 p.m. He said that the only area that will not be closed off will be the Suicide Cliff which will be the public’s main viewing point for the detonation.
“Public access to Suicide Cliff is allowed only through the road leading up to the Far East Broadcasting antenna for viewing purposes,” Tarkong said. He added that the DPS will set security posts to enforce and control traffic movement for safety purposes.
The CNMI Explosive Ordnance Team led by its commander Capt. Pete Leon Guerrero has detonated over 3,000 lbs. of unexploded ordnance in the first three operations from March to June this year.
AMPRO president John Scott earlier said the huge volume of unexploded ordnance being unearthed from the Marpi Homestead Project and the limited storage pit in Marpi prompts the DPS to conduct more detonation operations.
He said the clearing of the Homestead Project which started last March is expected to be finished by October. By then, more unexploded ordnance is expected to be unearthed. Scott also said that majority of the World War 2 unexploded ordnance is abundant in the islands of Tinian, Rota, Saipan and in Peleliu in Palau. For more information, please the Department of Public Safety PIO at 664-9023.
