Simulated terror attacks play out on Saipan, Tinian

An explosion at a pipeline that triggered the release of oil to the water at Charlie Dock; a shooting and hostage taking at Palms Resort Saipan; a shooting encounter between law enforcers and suspected terrorists at the defunct La Fiesta Mall where a laboratory of hazardous materials were discovered; and the discovery of two packages of explosives on Tinian.

These were the terror scenarios that played out as the 36-hour full-scale all-hazard exercise KONFITMA kicked off yesterday on Saipan and Tinian.

Unlike last year, however, this year’s exercise had no designated public information officer, as press secretary Angel Demapan is off-island.

CNMI Office of Homeland Security special adviser Marvin Seman, who serves as KONFITMA exercise control, took on the job of providing information and guiding the media to designated areas at the scenes.

There was no confirmation yet from the Fitial administration as to the number of persons “dead, arrested, injured, taken hostages” as the “terrorist attacks” were still ongoing as of press time.

Seman said 15 agencies, including the Guam National Guard, Hawaii National Guard, and Arizona National Guard, are participating in the biggest KONFITMA exercise in the Commonwealth so far.

The purpose of KONFITMA is to conduct an all-hazard situational training exercise in order to create conditions to reinforce interoperability among local, state, federal, military, and private stakeholders.

The U.S. Army Pacific Weapons of Mass Destruction-Civil Support Team/CBRNE Enhanced Response Force Package Training and Readiness Division, in coordination with the CNMI Office of Homeland Security and the Emergency Management Office, is holding the exercise together with CNMI and federal responders.

The scenarios occurred simultaneously at 8am on Saipan and Tinian.

In the Saipan scenario, an explosion at a pipeline near the seaport caused fire at a barge. As a result, oil was released to the water. Several law enforcers and emergency providers immediately responded to Baker Dock. After over an hour, the area was cleared.

Emergency responders then proceeded to Palms Resort where a shooting incident was happening.

Members of the Department of Public Safety’s Tactical Response Team evacuated guests and hotel staff, even as some people were being held hostage.

Firefighters then discover that some men were trying to steal the ammonia chemical stored in an inaccessible area of the hotel.

At least three “injured” women were taken from the hotel, put on stretchers and transported by ambulance to the Commonwealth Health Center.

As some “injured persons” were found in an “inaccessible area” on the ground floor of the hotel, firefighters hoisted them up one by one some 65 feet above the building.

At the former La Fiesta Mall, TRET members responded and engaged in a shootout against five suspected terrorists.

Seman said five suspects were shot dead and two others were wounded. Seman said he could not say yet whether any law enforcer was shot.

Saipan Tribune, however, observed one TRET member and the TRET commander himself, Capt. Pete Leon Guerrero, actually hit by gunshots (paintballs).

Leon Guerrero suffered a real cut on the right palm as he accidentally touched a sharp object when one “terrorist” suddenly appeared from nowhere and opened fire. Leon Guerrero was heard complaining that the open fire was not part of the rule as it was already outside the building.

After a brief shooting with TRET members, the suspects were neutralized and taken to the police station.

Two officers were taken to CHC after being exposed to hazardous chemicals.

The building was also found to have a laboratory of hazardous chemicals.

On Tinian, two packages containing explosives were found. One was in front of the police station, while the other was at the power plant.

Seman said they called the Guam National Guard for assistance at 9am.

Later, about eight to 10 responders from Saipan boarded a helicopter and flew to Tinian. One rescue boat was also dispatched to the island.