Pew’s proposed conservation up north

Over the last four hundred plus years, our forefathers have submitted to the arrogance and whims of our conquerors. They were fearful of the modern weaponry their conquerors had and had to resort to prayerful hope to see the perpetuation of their people.

Today, the “divide and conquer” syndrome continues to persist (again with the classic conqueror’s arrogance) mindless of the need to secure the sentiments of the indigenous people on matters of substance pertaining directly to their livelihood. In brief, the new conqueror (Pew group) has a morally repulsive agenda riddled with greed, keeping their fingers crossed that eventually they could quietly claim and exploit what belongs to the indigenous people to their benefit—Pew’s.

If Pew feels otherwise, then their active solicitation to turn 115,000 square miles of flora and fauna into a monument speaks volumes of its hidden interest, employing the carrot-on-a-stick approach to secure its goal. It boggles the mind that this organization even forgets that our people, through the CNMI Constitution, have ratified the conservation of islands throughout the Marianas Archipelago. Why would Pew, the latest conqueror or intruder, try to supplant the sentiments of indigenous owners of flora and fauna of possible minerals up north?

Since time immemorial, our forefathers have traversed the vast expanse of Marianas waters in order to catch big fish for local consumption and festive occasions. A study prepared by the Committee on Law of the Sea (former Congress of Micronesia) addresses how our forefathers have sailed beyond 500 miles to fish. Managaha Island was used as a pit stop to clean and dry fish before making the final journey home. It’s an aspect of history that tells of our ancestors even going up north to fish for the dietary requirements of their community.

Pew’s agenda is interesting in the sense that it alone feels there should be additional conservation areas up north. It does so as though flora and fauna are close to extinction, thus the need to step in right here and now. It fails to acknowledge our own vision respecting future development of fisheries and the sale of tons of expensive minerals for the maintenance of indigenous posterity. It seems oblivious to our abilities and capabilities as owners of these islands how 115,000 square miles of flora, fauna and seabed minerals could eventually be developed into sustainable economic ventures that offer stability over the fickle glamour industry. It is why we are here to guard against any further intrusion and brutal acquisition of what’s ours!

Such stunning arrogance gift-wrapped in $300 million in federal funds reminds me of the book How to Lie with Statistics! Such stunt being peddled as though we’re a bunch of ignoramus boggles the mind how these intruders view our sentiments and would go out of their way to secure their agenda even without our consent. Enough is enough!

I encourage our people against signing Pew’s petition in favor or ours. It’s the surest way to send home the message with finality that each of us is ready to protect what’s rightfully the property of the indigenous people handed down to us by Divine Providence! Retaining what’s ours up north for eventual indigenous disposition would allow for opportunities over the long term for sustainable economic foundation that goes hand in hand with the conviction and commitment for island nation building. Si Yuus Maase yan Ghilisow!