Efraim Atalig
FORMER Rota Mayor Efraim M. Atalig was laid to rest at San Jose Cemetery on Rota at 10 a.m. Tuesday. Joining the late mayor’s family and members of the Rota community were Gov. Arnold I. Palacios, Rota Mayor Aubry Hocog, Tinian Mayor Edwin P. Aldan, and Saipan Mayor Ramon Blas ‘RB’ Camacho.
Prior to interment, the former mayor’s remains were transported from Julian S. Calvo Divine Mercy Chapel to San Francisco De Borja Church, where members of the community were given the opportunity to view the late mayor and pay their last respects.
The former mayor died at Rota Health Clinic at around 1 p.m. on Nov. 21, 2024 following a vehicular accident at 11 a.m. He was 64 years old, and not 63 as earlier reported.
He was driving south from Sinapalo on San Francisco De Borja Highway when he hit a power pole across from Lucky II Store.
Variety learned that the Department of Public Safety was still investigating to determine if the former mayor died from the impact or suffered a heart attack.
Prior to the accident, Atalig had been scheduled for an off-island medical referral for heart surgery, Variety learned.
