By Emmanuel T. Erediano
emmanuel@mvariety.com
Variety News Staff
AS reconstruction of World War II-era airstrips at Tinian’s North Field accelerates amid intensifying military rivalry with China, the mayors of Tinian, Saipan and Rota say they are watching developments closely and are anxious about what lies ahead for their constituents should a conflict occur.
Tinian Mayor Edwin P. Aldan, Saipan Mayor Ramon Blas “RB” Camacho and Rota Mayor Aubry Hocog agree that discussions on emergency preparedness should begin as soon as possible.
In separate interviews Thursday, the mayors said it is important for residents to know what plans are in place for civilians.
Aldan said he raised the issue during a meeting with military officials four years ago, when the missile defense system was being constructed on Guam.
“I asked them, ‘Do you have a plan if there’s a military [conflict] in our region?’” Aldan said.
At the time, the answer was no, Aldan said. He added that military officials indicated they would meet again to discuss his concerns, but the matter was never revisited.
“Four years have passed, and I still have not had the chance to look at any documents regarding a U.S. military plan for the civilian population in the CNMI,” Aldan said.
He said he and his fellow CNMI mayors have also raised the issue with U.S. Congresswoman Kimberlyn King-Hinds.
“The military buildup on Tinian is progressing very fast, but we have never really talked about emergency response,” Aldan said. “We need to address that.”
Hocog, for her part, said representatives of the Guam National Guard recently met with Rota officials, including her office staff and representatives from CNMI Homeland Security and Emergency Management, the Rota Department of Public Safety, and the Rota Department of Fire and Emergency Medical Services.
One of the questions raised during the meeting, Hocog said, was whether a plan exists in the event of scenarios such as armed conflict.
“They wanted to know exactly what type of training and disaster-response capabilities the U.S. military expects local emergency responders to prepare for,” Hocog said. “That is something we have already discussed.”
She said Rota’s emergency responders want clarity on what local assets can be utilized and what types of training are needed. Discussions on the matter are ongoing, she added.
Camacho stressed that the CNMI is not opposed to the military presence.
“We are not anti-military,” Camacho said. “We work with the military, and we appreciate that they are our defense and that they protect us. But we need to know — where are we going to go? When should we expect these things?”
He said CNMI residents need to see a clear plan so they can begin preparing.
Emmanuel “Arnold” Erediano has a bachelor of science degree in Journalism. He started his career as police beat reporter. Loves to cook. Eats death threats for breakfast.
