According to Joaquin P. Villagomez, “We’re circulating the petition to tell President Bush that we want access to the islands. We want control over our waters, fishes, and islands. We want to tell the president not to sign the proposal and to think of our future.”
Their group has also distributed copies of the petition on Tinian and Rota.
Villagomez used to be the chief of marine resources under Gov. Carlos S. Camacho; the acting chief of the Division of Fish and Wildlife under Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio; the administrator of Coastal Resources Management under Gov. Lorenzo I. Deleon Guerrero; and is the uncle of Angelo O. Villagomez — the Pew group’s local coordinator.
Joaquin Villagomez said his group has no name but has the support of the local community and the central government, including the administration, the Division of Environmental Quality, CRM, the Carolinian Affairs Office, and a majority of the lawmakers.
In a separate interview, Speaker Arnold I. Palacios, R-Saipan, told the Variety that he, too, is opposed to the Pew proposal. “Why are they shoving this proposal down our throats?”
Rep. Ramon A. Tebuteb, R-Saipan and House Committee on Natural Resources chairman, said he is also against the Pew proposal.
He wants the organization to present the cultural and historical considerations regarding the national monument proposal to the local people so that they would be able to understand both sides of the issue.
Joaquin Villagomez said anyone may sign their petition.
Both houses of the Legislature earlier adopted a resolution expressing opposition to the Pew proposal “at this time.”
