Martin Ayuyu, who was brought to the Philippines last February, needs a new passport.
His sister, Angie Borja, yesterday said the U.S. Embassy in Manila did not honor his documents, particularly the CNMI driver’s license and the ID issued by the Saipan mayor’s office, which he submitted in support of his application for a new passport.
Borja said the CNMI Attorney General’s Office already wrote to the U.S. Embassy in Manila but to no avail.
Borja said they are worried about the situation of her brother in Manila.
She said she needs to get another driver’s license for his brother “but it’s hard” because it requires his signature.
Ronald D. Sablan, the CNMI medical referral service manager, said the situation of Ayuyu is “beyond our control.”
He said Ayuyu had no passport for his scheduled medical appointment in the Philippines.
The medical referral office made an arrangement that allowed Ayuyu to enter the Philippines pending the issuance of his passport, Sablan said.
He did not disclose what this “arrangement” was, but he said Ayuyu was accompanied by his wife.
Sablan said they required the patient to submit proofs indicating that Ayuyu was applying for a passport.
“We got those passport receipts, which meant he applied for a new one,” he said.
After that, Sablan said they didn’t know what happened to the application for a new passport.
“It is not really a medical referral office issue — it’s an issue between the patient and the passport officer,” Sablan added.
He said his office continues to cover the subsistence allowance, including the hotel expenses, of Ayuyu.
“We’re also concerned because this costs the government money, but we just can’t abandon them,” Sablan added.
“I hope it will not happen again, because it’s not only a setback for the patient and our program but it is also costing us money.”
Ayuyu had heart problems and appendicitis.
