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DPS still on the hunt for Ye Fang
The Department of Public Safety remains on the hunt for Ye Fang alias “Batu,” who has been wanted for several months now.
DPS issued another announcement lately seeking the community’s help in locating “Batu” who has been on the run since November 2022.
Anyone with information on the whereabouts of “Batu” is encouraged to contact the DPS Criminal Investigations Unit at (670) 664-9064 or 911.
For those who wish to remain anonymous, you may call the CNMI Crime Stoppers Hotline at (670)234-7272.
According to Saipan Tribune archives, DPS has been on the lookout for “Batu” for months. He has even been the subject of previous social media posts that insinuated a public community threat.
Back in December, the month-old mugshots of wanted fugitive Ye Fang 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 shoot-out.
However, after investigating the viral posts, DPS spokesperson Adrian Pangelinan said the videos were not directed at the CNMI community and that they were shot over two years ago.
According to Pangelinan, the video was taken by a Chinese female two years ago. DPS has chosen to withhold the name of the woman to protect her privacy.
DPS was able to speak with the woman via a translator and she assured officers that the video was not meant to threaten the community; instead, it was a threat to Batu who she claims had threatened her and her family.
In addition, DPS said that, upon further investigation, the guns shown on the videos have all been accounted for and are legally registered with DPS.
Pangelinan also touched on the messages that circulated in the internet warning members of the community not to go to a handful of Chinese-owned stores as they were allegedly on Batu’s hit-list.
