Michael Napu King Aldan, 33

Michael Napu King Aldan

Gov. Ralph DLG Torres ordered last Friday that all flags across the Commonwealth be lowered to half-staff to mark the passing of Tinian Municipal Council vice chair Michael Napu King Aldan last Feb. 18 on Tinian.

As per Torres’ directive, all Commonwealth and U.S. flags will be flown at half-staff until the day of Aldan’s burial. It was not immediately known when Aldan would be buried.

In addition to his duties with the 18th Tinian and Aguiguan Municipal Council, Aldan was also a police officer at the Tinian Department of Public Safety.

It was learned that Tinian Rep. Patrick H. San Nicolas (R-Tinian) asked House of Representative members toward the end of their session last Friday for a moment of silence to mark Aldan’s passing.

In his announcement last Friday, Torres said he and Lt. Gov. Arnold I. Palacios, along with their families and the entire Commonwealth, join Tinian and Aguiguan Mayor Edwin P. Aldan, the Tinian leadership, and the people of Tinian in mourning Aldan’s sudden and untimely passing.

“In addition to his elected office as a member of the 18th Tinian Municipal Council, he bravely answered the call of duty to serve his community as a police officer for the Department of Public Safety. He has sincerely touched many hearts with his passion and truly had a lot more to give for the people of Tinian,” said Torres.

Tinian Mayor Edwin P. Aldan, through his office’s official Facebook page, also extended his condolences. “You have touched many hearts with your spirit, and we believe you had great things planned for the community. May you rest in peace and love, councilman,” said Edwin P. Aldan.

Many of the CNMI’s public officials such as Senate President Jude U. Hofschneider (R-Tinian), Sen. Vinnie F. Sablan (Ind-Saipan), former representative L.J. Castro (Ind-Saipan), and more took to Facebook to show their love and support for Aldan’s family.

“With profound sadness and utter disbelief on the untimely passing of our colleague, on behalf of the 22nd Senate, our families and staff, I wish to express our deepest sympathy and condolences to the family of the late Michael Napu King Aldan. …I pray that the family remains strong as we all find ways to cope with the sudden departure of our beloved. Rest in peace, vice chairman Aldan. Your memories will live in our hearts forever,” said Hofschneider.

Sablan, who said he’d only known Aldan for a short while, said, “I had the chance to talk to him and hear his vision for Tinian. He was excited as a new young leader as I once was. I now see the impact he had on Tinian. He is loved and is missed dearly. Councilman, I have only known you for a short time, but I am honored to have had a good conversation with you. Thank you, sir, for all you have been for many. I join my family and staff to offer our sincere condolences to your family, friends and the dear people of Tinian.”

In his Facebook post, Castro said that Aldan made him feel safe with every visit he made to Tinian. “From the moment he first placed his badge on as an officer of the peace, Councilman Aldan pledged his professional life to serving his friends and family. And in 2020, he decided to take his oath of service to the next level by seeking elected office to serve in the municipal council.”