The group’s adviser Oscar C. Rasa claimed that Cruz made “malicious statements” against them.
Cruz said if Rasa’s group “will not accept the offer of a truce then I will accept and welcome their lawsuit. Still, we must continue forward with what we have been doing for the indigenous people.”
Cruz said he had discussed with Rasa issues affecting their homeland.
“Although we do not see eye to eye on some issues such as the governor’s lawsuit against the federal government, we must continue to move forward with our mission of fighting the injustices here in our homeland,” Cruz said an e-mail.
He said Taotao Tano has been in the forefront of the many serious issues affecting the indigenous people.
“We have been involved in many investigations such as those involving our public utilities, the Department of Public Lands, Medicaid, the Department of Labor while participating in numerous community forums,” Cruz said.
The CNMI Descents for Self Government and Indigenous Rights claims to have 4,100 members and has belittled Taotao Tano’s membership.
But Cruz said “numbers are not important — what is important is how we address the issues affecting our people.”
He said the silent majority is behind Taotao Tano whenever it raises issues against CNMI officials.
