“The search of the landfill is standard procedure in a missing person case. The search is not being done based on information received,” Moore said.
“If we received information that indicated a possible burial site we would investigate it,” he added.
The FBI yesterday announced an additional $10,000 cash reward for any information leading to the safe return of the missing school children.
Variety learned that FBI agents have also purchased shovels, gloves, rubber boots, pitchforks, batteries, hand cultivators, hoes, among other hardware items.
“That’s shocking!” said a family member when the Variety relayed this information. The family member said they were told that authorities had already searched the landfill last week.
Asked if there is any indication that the girls are alive, Moore said: “I cannot confirm or deny any aspect of an ongoing FBI investigation.”
The additional $10,000 from the FBI brings to $12,000 the total amount of reward money.
IT&E and Crime Stoppers have each committed a $1,000 reward for any information leading to the recovery of the two girls.
Witnesses said the girls did not board the school bus at 6:30 a.m. and their family only learned they had missed classes after they did not come home following their 3:30 p.m. class.
As the search continued yesterday, the family of the children, the administration, the CNMI Department of Public Safety and the FBI held a joint media conference at the Kagman Community Center.
Moore said the cash reward will also go to anyone with information leading to the successful prosecution of those responsible for the girls’] disappearance.
“We encourage anyone to call if they have information about the girls even if it does not seem important to them personally or if they have information that is not known to them firsthand,” Moore said.
“We wish to thank the public for all the calls received so far. The resolution of this matter could very well come through tips just like those we have received,” he added.
Moore also thanked DPS, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, the U.S. Marshals Service and the U.S. Homeland Security Investigations for their assistance.
Acting Gov. Eloy Inos thanked the federal agencies for responding quickly to the CNMI’s request for assistance.
He also thanked CNMI agencies, their personnel as well as volunteers who are involved in the search.
Inos described the disappearance of the girls as an “unprecedented event.”
“We assured the family that we are doing our best within our means to find an answer. Our effort continues,” Inos said.
Elbert Quitugua, the girls’ grandfather; Jermain Quitugua, their mother; and Anicia Q. Tomokane, their grand-aunt, also attended the media conference.
“We seek your patience. Allow us to do our job,” Inos told the children’s relatives. “We will continue to liaise with your family.”
Acting DPS Commissioner Ramon C. Mafnas said the FBI-CNMI investigation teams continue to conduct interviews.
“As we speak, our search teams have been dispatched since this morning to areas of interest. The resources and expertise, as extensive they are, supporting the investigation teams continue to increase and expand,” Mafnas said.
Elbert Quitugua thanked the FBI for the additional $10,000 reward, other federal agencies, the Crime Stoppers program, CNMI authorities, and volunteers for their support.
Moore reminded the community that “rumors can be dangerous.”
He said they tried to contact Ruhtic Luhk, the missing girls’ father now based in Pohnpei, but were “not successful.”
“All members of the family are persons of interest,” Moore said.
