Death threats in email blast?

The Department of Public Safety is looking into a mass email threat sent late last Monday evening in relation to the threatening videos that have been circulating on the internet since last weekend.

According to Department of Public Safety spokesperson Adrian Pangelinan, DPS has been getting disturbance reports since around 10pm last Monday evening about death threats that were sent out via email blasts directed toward local entities like the Public School System.

The name on the email account used to send the threatening emails was Yu Qiu Min, a wanted fugitive believed to have ties with Ye Fang, better known as “Batu,” another wanted fugitive who was the subject of graphic videos that have been circulating on the internet since last weekend.

However, DPS has yet to confirm whether the email was really sent out by Yu, or if it was sent out by another individual using the fugitive’s name.

“On Monday, Dec. 12, at about 10:19pm, the Department of Public Safety received several disturbance reports indicating death threats at certain establishments, with attached videos of the recently circulating videos through social media. The email was sent to a mass account inclusive of several students and staff of the Public School System, from an account utilizing the name of a wanted fugitive,” said Pangelinan.

DPS assures the community that there is no direct threat to students.

Adrian Pangelinan

“There is no direct threat to students or schools. DPS is actively investigating the threat made against these establishments. Authorities are asking the public to be vigilant when receiving and forwarding videos and messages through social media and to contact DPS directly to report any suspicious activity,” he said.

DPS is seeking the community’s help in identifying the person(s) behind the threats that have been sent out.

“Anyone with information regarding the person(s) involved in sending out any threats through social media is encouraged to call the Criminal Investigations Division at 664-9042, 911, or the CNMI Crime Stoppers hotline at 234-7272. Crime stoppers pays up to $1,000 for any information leading to an arrest,” he said.

DPS is still on the lookout for both Yu and “Batu.”

“Batu” is currently facing charges of theft and trafficking and illegal possession of a controlled substance. His bail was set at $100,000. Meanwhile, Yu is facing one charge of theft with her bail set at $10,000.

Over the weekend, the month-old mugshots of the wanted fugitives went viral in the CNMI community, along with videos of firearms and other graphic, violent videos. According to the captions of these posts, Batu, who remains at large, was allegedly threatening the community with a shootout.

However, DPS has since discredited the rumors, stating that the videos were shot over two years ago and were never directed at the community.