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Lawmaker upset over tour site vandalism
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Posted on May 11 2006
Rep. Ray Tebuteb expressed outrage yesterday over the reported vandalism of historical sites in the CNMI, including the Okinawan Tower on Tinian.
“I’m appalled. I am outraged by these acts. The vandalism of the Okinawan Tower is unacceptable. It should stop,” said Tebuteb.
The congressman also disclosed that other historical sites are being vandalized by a certain group of people.
He said reports reaching him indicate that Japanese monuments at Banzai Cliff and Last Command Post are being desecrated.
“We are looking into this,” he promised.
Tebuteb said these things only justify the need to make the Department of Public Safety commissioner a member of the Marianas Visitors Authority board.
“We have problems with enforcement. Everyone is saying that tourism is very important, very critical but why this seeming neglect of tourist sites and tourist safety?” asked Tebuteb.
He said his bill, House Bill 15-44, aims to make the DPS commissioner a non-voting member of the MVA board.
“Let’s put the commissioner there, not any designated person, but the commissioner himself should be there and know the problems firsthand,” he said.
The MVA board recently asked for DPS assistance to curb tourism-related offenses.
The MVA said it has been getting unpleasant feedback regarding tourists’ stay in the CNMI—from the “overly aggressive solicitation” by female entertainers in Garapan, the throwing of rocks at passing cars in the Tanapag and San Roque areas, to theft of tourists’ items, and vandalism of tourist sites.
Last month, it was reported that a Japanese couple was hit with a metal object and robbed by an Oriental-looking man while at the Blow Hole on Tinian.
Likewise, the Okinawan monument on Tinian, which was built by the Micronesia Repatriation Association in honor of the war dead from Okinawa, was reportedly vandalized.
Graffiti was all over the tower, and its descriptive sign and flower stand were reportedly damaged.
