THE U.S. Marshals’ seizure of two ferries last week has adversely affected the commonwealth, Gov. Juan N. Babauta said.
In a letter yesterday to the U.S. Marshal for Guam and the CNMI Joaquin Leon Guerrero Salas, the governor said that although his administration respects the confidentiality of the court order, the failure of the Marshals to inform the CNMI government about the seizure of the ferries “carried serious ramification.”
The governor is requesting for a meeting with Salas next week.
“I do understand that certain information is confidential and that the U.S. Marshal’s Office is by no means bound by law to share such information, but under the circumstances, a simple courtesy call to my office or key staff of mine would be greatly appreciated in the future,” Babauta said in his letter.
The governor said he was “deeply disappointed” when the Marshals impounded the two ferries—Saipan Express and Tinian Express which are owned and operated by Tinian Shipping and Transportation, Inc.
Saipan and Tinian commuters rely on these ferries, Babauta said.
Asked for comment, Salas said Babauta is “correct” in pursuing the commonwealth’s interest in the issue.
Salas said it was a “welcome communication” from the governor, adding that they will “review” it.
“My office appreciates the governor’s effort and we promise to do everything within our authority to find an amenable solution—we want to work toward a remedy,” Salas told Variety.
He agreed to meet with the governor between June 10 and June 11 when he visits Saipan next month.
However, Salas clarified that the U.S. Marshal’s involvement is only “very minimal” and it is only in the “execution of the arrest.”
The custody of these ferries was relinquished to a “substitute custodian,” he added.
“It is not the Marshal that dictates the order. Whatever the court instruction is, that is what we are going to follow precisely. We execute the order to the letter of the law,” Salas said.
Salas admitted that the seizure of the ferries was “out of the ordinary” compared to the rest of the seizures they have had previously.
He said the Marshals “sympathize” with the CNMI.
Meanwhile, the Senate says it will look into the events leading to the seizure of the ferries.
Senate President Paul A. Manglona, R-Rota, has scheduled a leadership meeting this week.
The chairman of the Tinian legislative delegation, Senate Floor Leader Joaquin G. Adriano, will also meet with the governor this week.
Manglona said there is already a “great inconvenience” among local commuters.
“We want to see the immediate resumption of the ferries’ operation and how we can assist Tinian,” Manglona told Variety.
Sen. David M. Cing, D-Tinian, said he is concerned and wants to “really look” into the reasons and causes of the impounding.
Variety learned that World Fame Shipping Ltd., which sued Tinian Shipping over $600,000 in unpaid debts, has refused to accept partial payments.
“They are demanding a full payment of the amount,” a source who declined to be identified said.
