Galvin Deleon Guerrero
GALVIN Sablan Deleon Guerrero, independent candidate for CNMI delegate to Congress, called for new terms in the ongoing military development in the Commonwealth that would better serve the islands and bolster national security. This comes in the wake of recent news that a Texas-based company was awarded a $238,706 catering contract for 600 U.S. Air Force personnel that are conducting training exercises in the islands.
“Overall, the terms for military development that some of our leaders negotiated have left our businesses and our people behind,” Deleon Guerrero stated. “We need to revisit and renegotiate those terms so that the military buildup is fair for everyone, is deployed in a smart manner, and truly strengthens our national security.”
Deleon Guerrero noted that the military buildup appears to be benefitting a few special interests at the expense of equal opportunity for other businesses and individuals across the Commonwealth. “This is why I have pushed for industry days and grants like the APEX Accelerator that can help our businesses avail themselves of contracting opportunities from the Department of Defense. Everyone should have a fair shot at these opportunities and a chance to participate in the defense industrial base.”
Deleon Guerrero also called for a smarter approach to military development that includes equal development of the CNMI’s workforce, infrastructure, and overall economy. “This critical investment in our national security needs a sustainable ecosystem of skilled workers, reliable infrastructure, and robust economic conditions.”
“Most importantly, we need to ensure that in all of this, we are protecting the very reason for the buildup: our national security. Sadly, though, some have been pushing to open our borders to potential threats to our islands and our country. At a time of geopolitical turmoil, we cannot afford to become more vulnerable to bad actors that intend to do harm to the United States.”
“If elected to Congress, I will do all that I can to protect our national security, fighting for our Commonwealth, fighting for our country, fighting for us,” he said.
