Municipal funeral in Rota for Atalig

The remains of former justice Pedro M. Atalig arrived on Rota aboard a flotilla yesterday and will be honored with a municipal funeral tomorrow.

Rota Mayor Benjamin T. Manglona said the special service would be rendered in accordance to the customs and traditions on Rota and will include an honor guard, half-mast of the municipal flag, and a 15-gun salute.

The Rota mayor said his special assistant, Isaac M. Calvo, would coordinate with the Department of Public Safety and other government office for the municipal funeral.

A flotilla transported the body of Atalig to his home island in preparation for his burial Saturday, with his personal boat carrying his remains. Two DPS boats escorted the lead boat in a triangular formation. Family and friends of Atalig boarded a plane that flew over the flotilla.

Manglona said the late justice was a devoted public servant who showed exemplary service to his community with complete dedication and competency through out his adult life.

He also said that Atalig spent his life serving the people of Rota and the entire CNMI by holding various positions in government.

The 55-year-old Atalig is survived by Nelida, his wife of 18 years, and children Amelia, Andy, Anthony, Christian, Adeloisa, and Kahra. The first three are from his previous marriage with Norma Quiel.

Born on Oct. 3, 1949, Atalig is the son of former Rota mayor Antonio Camacho Atalig and Anita Cruz Manglona Atalig. Atalig earned his bachelor’s degree in political science from California State University in 1972 and his juris doctor degree from Washburn University of Topeka School of Law. He was admitted to practice law in the CNMI and Kansas, as well as in the U.S. District Court for the CNMI and the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals.

Atalig started his legal career as assistant district attorney for the Marianas District in 1975. He became legal counsel of then Marianas Public Land Corp. from 1979 to 1986, CNMI Superior Court presiding judge from 1991 to 1993, and CNMI Supreme Court associate justice from 1993 to 1997.

He also held various positions in government. He had served as the first Constitutional Convention delegate for Rota, vice chairman of the Board of Election, member of the Law Revision Commission, member and chairman of the United Nations Task Force on Trust Territory Termination, and member of the Marianas Public Lands Authority’s Board of Directors. (John Ravelo and Marconi Calindas)