IN the second of a series of videos responding to concerns raised by the House Committee on Judiciary and Government Operations, Gov. Ralph DLG Torres spoke about the trips taken to the Northern Islands, including a promotional trip with “Deer Meat for Dinner” YouTube star Robert Arrington.
“Our people deserve the truth directly from me and not through a political body like the JGO Committee. This is my second video in a series with Gary Sword, a trusted CNMI local media representative, about allegations made regarding my trip to the Northern Islands. You deserve the full story, and I hope this addresses these abusive allegations by officials that prioritize politics over our people,” said Torres.
Interviewed by KKMP host Gary Sword, the governor emphasized that he is not just the governor of Saipan, Tinian, and Rota, but he is also the governor of the Northern Islands.
“I’ve always been an advocate on diversifying our economy, our tourism, and the Northern Islands have always been a priority for my administration as well. I want to create new jobs, showcase the Northern Islands, but at the same time, also give hope and resettle our people that continue to call the Northern Islands home,” he said.
The governor recalled childhood memories in which his father had encouraged him and his siblings to visit the Northern Islands when they could, which they did in the early 2000s.
“I still remember the feeling and the sentiment when I first got to the island of Pagan, how beautiful it was and still is, pristine, just immaculate all around. It’s a feeling that you cannot explain. You just got to be there, and since then, I vowed to continue to protect the Northern Islands, at the same time, [showcase] and give opportunities for the rest of our people and the rest of the world to experience our last frontier,” he said.
“That is why I continue to go up to the Northern Islands, to provide opportunities, along with the mayor [of the Northern Islands].”
Governor Torres said the mayor of the Northern Islands was also on these trips and also utilized the boating vessels.
Regarding the use of federally funded boating vessels for these trips, the governor said that the Department of Public Safety-Boating Safety vessels have always been utilized any time that there are activities on the waters, including the Saipan International Fishing Tournament, Tagaman Triathlon, as well as paddling and canoeing activities.
“Any time that we have activities, DPS is there for safety, so this is just an additional program that we brought up, Deer Meat for Dinner, to the Northern Islands, seriously, to promote the islands. This is something for all of us to be proud of,” he said.
The governor said Deer Meat for Dinner was not paid by the CNMI government.
However, he said less than $70,000 was spent for accommodations for Deer Meat for Dinner, adding that to his understanding, Deer Meat for Dinner had spent over $100,000 out-of-pocket for the trip, including for airfare and transport of equipment.
“Imagine that: someone who truly cares for our islands, truly cares for our culture, [wanted] to come here and promote the CNMI. The CNMI never paid a penny to Deer Meat for Dinner; it was just to promote the Marianas,” said the governor.
He noted that over 21 million viewers have seen the Deer Meat for Dinner videos of their trip to the CNMI, for a project that would have cost over $500,000.
“So again, the usage of these vessels [were] for safety. Mind you, there [are] a couple of things that I also want to mention, this was supported by the Northern Islands mayor, the Northern Islands folks, to see this opportunity to showcase the Northern Islands,” he said.
“I’m very heartbroken [over] this because this whole family wants to promote something that we have here, yet it’s taken out of context… Deer Meat for Dinner was not and has not been compensated by the CNMI government. All he asked was to be brought up to the Northern Islands. That’s it.”
The governor said that the use of federally funded boats is conducted in other jurisdictions as well.
“There [are] no federal programs that are opposing this or that [have made] an issue of the usage of these vessels. They understand that this is a strong partnership, they want to promote the usage of these vessels, and we’re utilizing it the right way,” he said.
As to the fuel used for these vessels for these trips, which some lawmakers and community members labeled as “excessive,” the governor noted that the distance one-way is about 200 miles.
“This is an insult. It takes 200 miles one-way to go up to the Northern Islands. For anyone to say that it’s excessive to go visit our own people, to see what their [struggles are], to see what their needs [are], and to provide those needs [is insulting]. How do we create more jobs and opportunities if even now, we consider it as excessive?” he said.
The governor said the entire CNMI should place more effort in giving opportunities to the Northern Islands.
“If we have our people there, then I represent them as well. So again, to insinuate that this is excessive is an insult in itself. I love our people in the Northern Islands. They know I love them, and I’m here and will always be here. I want to continue to promote the Northern Islands and give them opportunity, again, not just for economic reasons, but also to resettle,” he said.
“This is just the beginning. It’s never excessive to go and visit your own people.”
The governor noted that the only way to reach the Northern Islands is by boat, as the islands do not have a landing strip.
However, he said his administration is working on creating an airstrip on Pagan.
“All of these activities have been supported by our mayor,” he said.
As to claims of federally funded and DPS vessels being used for recreational purposes, Governor Torres said, “For the record… I have not once ever used any federally funded vessel, DPS vessel for any recreational purposes. I’ve never fished on them… since I started my governorship… I have a 14-foot boat, not a yacht, but a 14-foot boat.”
Regarding safety personnel escorting the governor and his family on boating trips, the governor said that this is just protocol, as provided by the CNMI Constitution.
He said he has never asked DPS Boating Safety for protective service, but that DPS Commissioner Robert Guerrero provided such protection as allowed by the Constitution.
The governor said this is common protocol for the head of the government in all jurisdictions, including for dignitaries.
“CNMI law provides safety for me and my family. Using the boats is for safety reasons, whether it is to go to Rota, go to Tinian, or even to Managaha. So it is within the law that [DPS] provides safety,” he said, noting that such trips have been taken in the past to showcase the islands to visiting dignitaries.
He said, “You want to promote that, as well as provide safety.”
“To my understanding, throughout this whole process, none of the grantors ever written disciplinary or disapproval of these kinds of services. As far as I know, they want to use these vessels for promotion, education, and for safety. That’s what you call partnership with grantor and state,” he said.
As to claims of resources being depleted to accommodate the governor on promotional trips, the governor “DPS Boating Safety has done a phenomenal job, and the commissioner [and] his team [have made] sure that the resources stay on-island to make sure that in case of any emergency, that there is no [lack of] resources. So, when I go to the Northern Islands and [am] protected, there [are] always resources here in case of an emergency.”
Regarding a search-and-rescue incident in northern Saipan while Governor Torres was in the Northern Islands, the governor said there was not a lack of resources then either.
“DPS was there immediately. There wasn’t any lack of resources. So again, to the community, we always have backup resources here, in case of any emergency or any other activities,” he said.
“To all of our listeners, family, friends, [and community] members, when you take these trips up north, yes, it’s fun, it’s educational, but it’s also a way of life, to promote our Northern Islands. That’s what I’ve done since [the beginning], to showcase the Northern Islands, to bring in our tourism. Hopefully, one day, there will be eco-tourism, [we will] resettle our community out there; give jobs, not just to our Northern Islands folks, but others here who want to enjoy that kind of life. This pandemic does not… and did not stop that. We continue to move forward.”
“Deer Meat for Dinner’s [Robert Arrington] brought his family. He loves these islands, love our Chamorro [and] Refaluwasch cultures. He should be praised for everything he has done. Imagine him leaving his [home state] of Florida, [flying] here with his crew and his family, and [riding] 200 miles north and going even further north to showcase the beauty of our islands to the rest of the world… That is something that we should all be proud,” he said.
In closing, he said, “When you have these kinds of incidents, where the JGO misinforms the community, my question [to the committee is aren’t we] all trying to promote the CNMI?”
Gov. Ralph DLG Torres with “Deer Meat for Dinner” host Robert Arrington on a boat in the Northern Islands in July 2020.
