By Bryan Manabat
[email protected]
Variety News Staff
ELIJAH Villar, the second Department of Public Safety officer under investigation for an alleged assault last December, has resigned, DPS confirmed Wednesday.
“His resignation will take effect on May 5, his final day of employment,” DPS Public Information Officer Fred Sato said. “Officer Villar is the second officer under investigation for an assault incident on Dec. 19, 2025.”
Villar and former Police Officer Earl Borja were investigated for allegedly assaulting a 28‑year‑old man with a disability on Dec. 19 in Marpi. DPS launched the investigation with assistance from Internal Affairs and the Attorney General’s Investigation Division. Borja resigned from the department in January.
The alleged assault was reported on Dec. 22 by the victim’s father. The victim, who had visible injuries, was taken to the hospital by family members after the incident.
Borja was arrested in February and has since been charged with assault with a dangerous weapon, assault and battery, and misconduct in public office. He appeared at a preliminary hearing Wednesday morning before Superior Court Associate Judge Joseph N. Camacho. Borja, who is out of custody after posting bail, was represented by attorney Janet King.
As of late Wednesday afternoon, the court had not yet issued an order finding probable cause, as the preliminary hearing continued with testimony from Ikluk Masayos, with Assistant Attorney General Heather Barcinas appearing for the government.
Bryan Manabat was a liberal arts student of Northern Marianas College where he also studied criminal justice. He is the recipient of the NMI Humanities Award as an Outstanding Teacher (Non-Classroom) in 2013, and has worked for the CNMI Motheread/Fatheread Literacy Program as lead facilitator.
