Mafnas accused of abusing power

Department of Public Safety Commissioner Ramon C. Mafnas allegedly threatened to arrest, handcuff, and shoot two security guards and a dive instructor in separate incidents in Marpi.

Saipan Tribune learned from reliable sources that two Filipino security guards and a Korean dive instructor filed the complaints against Mafnas before DPS and the Federal Bureau of Investigation in February 2012.

Saipan Tribune tried to obtain comments from Mafnas yesterday but he had yet to call or send an email as of press time.

Press secretary Angel Demapan said yesterday he is not aware of this issue at this time.

Sources said that police detectives Patrick Sablan and Jeffrey I. Norita of the DPS Criminal Investigation Division are handling the investigation.

Saipan Tribune learned that, according to the complaints, in the morning of May or June 2011, when police were searching for missing sisters Faloma and Maleina Luhk, a Toyota 4Runner came to Bird Island lookout.

The driver of the vehicle, whose uniform’s nametag had the name Mafnas, approached the security guard at his work post. At the time, Mafnas was with several officers.

As the guard was greeting the tourists at the area, Mafnas approached him and asked him if he was doing his job. Mafnas allegedly told the guard to stop greeting the tourist because he is not a police officer and that this is not the Philippines, Bangladesh, or Nepal.

Mafnas told the guard that his job is to log down all license plates of vehicles that arrive at Bird Island lookout and to stay only in the guardhouse.

As the guard tried to explain his duties and assignment, the DPS commissioner allegedly told him to keep quiet and that he does not need his explanation.

The guard also had another encounter with Mafnas in September 2011 at the Grotto when the commissioner arrived aboard a white Toyota 4Runner with license plate ACD-699.

Mafnas approached the guard at his post and inquired about a vehicle parked at the eastern portion of the Grotto parking lot. The guard explained that the vehicle is owned and operated by a Korean who often comes to the Grotto with customers for scuba diving lessons.

When the Korean arrived after a few minutes, Mafnas approached and inquired about his license plate sticker. The Korean explained that someone stole his sticker, but Mafnas told him to be quiet.

Mafnas introduced himself to the Korean as the DPS commissioner and that he (Korean) does not respect him. Mafnas allegedly showed the Korean a handcuff and asked him if he wants to be arrested.

The commissioner also ordered the Korean to show him his driver’s license and vehicle registration. The Korean instructed one of his friends to bring the documents from inside the vehicle’s glove compartment.

The diving instructor was surprised when Mafnas allegedly approached and shouted, “What you think, I’m playing around?” The commissioner again allegedly took out the handcuff and asked the Korean if he wants to be arrested.

The Korean begged Mafnas not to arrest him and promised that he will put the sticker on the license plate. The diving instructor later learned from the guard that it was Mafnas, the DPS commissioner.

That same day, the Korean called the FBI and spoke to a special agent, who told the Korean he would call Mafnas to resolve the matter. The Korean asked the special agent not to call Mafnas and just forget the incident.

With respect to the complaint of the second security guard, the guard was at his post at Suicide Cliff when a white Toyota 4Runner and a silver Nissan Frontier arrived at the area.

Mafnas, who was wearing a dark overall with a name tag Mafnas, approached the guard and allegedly started shouting at him, asking him why he was just standing there.

The guard asked him for his name and Mafnas replied that he is the DPS commissioner.

Mafnas told the guard to move his car that was parked at the southeast portion of Suicide Cliff. Mafnas also asked the guard for his driver’s license. As the guard was trying to explain why he parked his car in the parking area, the commissioner kept telling him to shut up and be quiet.

Mafnas allegedly warned the guard to move his car or he would arrest him, handcuff him, then shoot him. The commissioner allegedly continued telling the guard if he wants to be arrested or shot.

The guard told the detectives investigating the complaint that he was afraid so he did not file a formal complaint with DPS for fear of retaliation. The guard told the detectives he was very disturbed by Mafnas and scared for his life.