SAIPAN, Micronesia (10 Feb 2004) -- The Federal Bureau of Investigation yesterday declared the explosion at a telecommunications facility on Mt. Tapochau as a deliberate act. It did not rule out the possibility that the incident was a terrorist attack. "It appears it was an intentional act," said Steve Moore, the FBI's acting supervisor for Saipan and Guam. In a press conference yesterday afternoon at the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas Governor's Office, Moore confirmed that the explosion totally destroyed the FBI's communication equipment. The blast, which happened late Saturday night, ripped apart I-Connect's radio room, the roof of which was thrown some 30 to 40 meters away due to the force of the explosion. No one was injured in the incident. Moore, however, refused to comment on the possible motive and culprits behind the detonation. The communications facility also housed equipment owned by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the Federal Communications Commission. The site remained sealed yesterday, with more CNMI law enforcers dispatched to the scene. While the FBI is taking on the case as lead investigating agency, Department of Public Safety commissioner Edward Camacho disclosed that the probe has involved other local agencies, including the Immigration Division. "We cannot rule out any motive," Camacho said. "It terrorized everybody, that's for sure." He said the CNMI is not on heightened alert, although law enforcement agencies were advised to be extra vigilant. The commissioner said probers are looking at different perspectives as to the possible motive behind the incident, including business rivalry. Moore disclosed that the FBI's crime scene probers from Honolulu, Hawaii were scheduled to arrive last night to join the investigation. Evidence gathered at the crime scene would be forwarded to the FBI's headquarters in Quantico, Virginia for examination. "We are not saying that this is terrorism. To the contrary, we don't know what it is," said FBI special agent Arnold Laanui, the FBI's media spokesperson based in Honolulu. Laanui said the probe could involve other federal agencies, with the FBI's establishment of a widespread network in its joint terrorism task force. He said the U.S. Navy's Explosive Ordnance and Disposal team from Guam would conduct a first-responder assessment to make sure that the crime scene is safe from unexploded ordnance. The type of explosive used remains publicly unknown. "We haven't gathered enough evidence to conduct a sophisticated analysis," the FBI spokesman said. | | There were concerns, however, that some evidence could have been washed out when firefighters responded to the site to put out the fire that ensued after the blast. Nearby residents who heard the explosion about 11pm Saturday, including those from the lower Kagman village, reportedly observed a ring of fire right after the blast. The FBI has begun interviewing a number of potential witnesses. Thirty-year-old Gerson Quimzon, a farmer residing near the communications facility, said he was asked by probers if he noticed any vehicle passing by at the time when the blast took place. "I only saw police vehicles after the explosion." I-Connect general manager Manny Andaya said the FBI has also interviewed five of its staff, including him and assistant general manager Chat Alves. Andaya earlier said he could not think of any other possible motive behind the incident besides business competition. Local and federal probers also responded to I-Connect's tower site in December 2003 upon the discovery of a gasoline spill that apparently came from the company's 3,000-gallon fuel tank. Probers believe the gas spill incident was an arson attempt. Andaya disclosed that the unknown culprits left two gasoline containers at the site. He also noted some burned grasses, cut barbwires and the damage to I-Connect's radio room. To date, he said the case remains unsolved. Andaya said Saturday's blast totally disrupted its analog service. The explosion also affected the company's digital system, with clients complaining of the absence of a radio signal on the eastern portion of the island, particularly in Kagman and Papago. The business executive said CNMI agencies also hook up to I-Connect's communication facility, including the Department of Public Safety and the Commonwealth Health Center, among others. The Tapochau facility also links Saipan to Guam. Emergency Management Office deputy director Mark Pangelinan said the agency has stopped availing of I-Connect's services, saying that EMO's communication facilities remain functional. Meanwhile, Pangelinan said the Navy's EOD team arrived via helicopter Sunday afternoon. He also said Saturday's incident might have been brought up with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security in Washington D.C. He disclosed that EMO director Rudolfo Pua coincidentally flew to Washington Sunday to attend a meeting among leaders involved in the National Emergency Management Association. The Homeland Security Department was set to join the meeting, he added. SOURCE - Saipan Tribune |
