Torres warns against misconduct in govt

The administration of Gov. Ralph DLG Torres has responded to reports of an alleged planned coup, led by former Department of Public Safety commissioner James C. Deleon Guerrero and other police officers, to oust DPS Commissioner Robert A. Guerrero, warning that such misconduct in office would face zero tolerance.

Multiple sources told Saipan Tribune that a week before he was arrested on charges of sexual assault of a minor girl, Deleon Guerrero allegedly had a “secret meeting” with some police officers at a Chinese restaurant in Garapan on a plan to unseat current DPS commissioner Guerrero.

The Torres administration, in a statement to Saipan Tribune yesterday, said they are “aware of the situation and are looking into the matter.”

“Any misconduct or even the appearance of misconduct under the color of office will not be tolerated,” said the governor’s spokesman Ivan Blanco.

“In his remarks at the 5th Cycle Customs Cadet graduation acting governor Hocog strongly called on all law enforcement officers to restore public trust and maintain the integrity of law enforcement,” Blanco added.

“DPS Commissioner Guerrero also called on his law enforcement officers to live by their oath to protect the community and uphold the constitution and laws of the United States and the CNMI,” he said.

Sources said aside from Deleon Guerrero, five other DPS personnel were in the “secret meeting” at the restaurant near the Garapan basketball court in the evening of April 7.

Sources said it is not clear what issues triggered the “secret meeting” and whether all those in the meeting have agreed to make a move to oust the commissioner.

Investigators from the Attorney General’s Investigative Division arrested Deleon Guerrero and Police Officer 3 Jesse S. Concepcion last Friday and Thursday, respectively, on sexual assault of a minor charges.

Asked about the ouster issue, Guerrero confirmed that he also received the same information about the “secret meeting” involving Deleon Guerrero and other officers.

Guerrero said he was off-island when this meeting was going on.

“They waited until I was off-island to do it,” the commissioner said.

Asked how he learned about the meeting, Guerrero said some officers did the “homework” for him.

“I have more support here than I actually thought I have,” he said.