“A federal case is open,” FBI Supervisory Senior Resident Agent for Guam and NMI Steve L. Moore told the Variety.
Elbert Quitugua, the children’s grandfather, said they will hold a press conference at 2 p.m. and a candlelight vigil at the Santa Lourdes shrine at 6 p.m. today to mark the first week of the girls’ disappearance.
Quitugua said the children’s father, a former Saipan police officer now based in Pohnpei, has not contacted them.
Public Safety Commissioner Ramon C. Mafnas in a prepared statement he read during yesterday’s press conference said: “To Faloma and Maleina, we are your friends. I am your friend. The police are here to help you and your sister. All the people searching for you, care for you and your safety. You can come to us.”
Mafnas was joined in the press conference by the FBI’s Moore, Attorney General Edward Buckingham, Press Secretary Angel Demapan, other officials of the Fitial administration, as well as the officers assigned to the ongoing investigation and search.
“The search will continue. The command center in Kagman remains open,” Mafnas said.
Moore described the ongoing investigation and search being conducted by DPS, aided by volunteers, as “appropriate and efficient.”
Moore said the additional FBI personnel from the states are experts on child abduction cases, and forensic experts.
There are types of cases “that require certain knowledge and set of skills to provide expertise,” Moore told the reporters.
The FBI agents belong to the Child Abduction Response Deployment Team, Moore said.
They are “investigating and communicating with the [missing children’s] family,” he added.
In addition to their unique expertise, according to FBI’s website, CARD Teams are capable of quickly establishing an on-site command post to centralize investigative efforts and operations. Other assets they bring to the table include a new mapping tool to identify and locate registered sex offenders in the area, national and international lead coverage, and the Child Abduction Response Plan to guide investigative efforts.
CARD Teams are primarily involved in non-family child abductions, ransom child abductions, and mysterious disappearances of children. They work with state and local law enforcement to protect and save the lives of innocent children, the website added.
Mafnas said: “In order to protect the integrity, organization and strength of the investigation process and the multi-lateral components, DPS chose not to reveal the types of investigative support and services, including devices, expertise and technology currently being secured, or deployed. This arrangement is necessary in the interest of the missing children, the investigation process, and justice.”
He added, “We request for the patience and cooperation of the community, and especially the family and friends of the two missing girls, as law enforcement personnel investigate, gather information, and follow leads provided by different sources.”
As in any civil or criminal case, Mafnas said, “persons of interest exist, and DPS will apply to the fullest extent the necessary measures to gather evidence, leave no stone unturned, and establish beyond reasonable doubt probable cause, while respecting due process, the rules of evidence, and the civil rights of the people.”
“However slow and painful the process is,” Mafnas said, “we request that all concerned members of our community respect our criminal justice process governing the matter, privileges and rights of both the victims and the accused.”
He thanked the business community and volunteers for helping local and federal authorities in the ongoing search.
“There are several civilians who dug into their pocket and contributed money during this difficult time,” Mafnas said.
