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Teno: Reinforce border patrols
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Posted on May 05 1999
Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio yesterday asked the US Coast Guard to intensify naval patrols in the surrounding waters of Guam and the CNMI to deter entry of illegal Chinese immigrants into the Marianas.
Since last month, streams of Chinese nationals, many of them believed to be victims human smuggling, have sailed to these US Pacific territories to escape harsh economic conditions in their homeland.
The governor underscored the need to step up border patrol in light of statements by federal officials that they see the influx to continue amid calm weather.
“We would like to see more patrols done within the Marianas chain,” Tenorio said in an interview. “This will perhaps eliminate the entry of these boat people into Guam and the CNMI.”
There are only two US Coast Guard vessels patrolling the shorelines of the two islands, and local leaders are worried that inadequate security would make the Marianas more vulnerable to intrusions.
It will be recalled that another boatload of illegal immigrants made it to Guam last month just when the Coast Guard patrol vessel was escorting close to 150 Chinese illegals to the island municipality of Tinian.
Illegal aliens have filled the immigration holding centers in Hagatna, forcing authorities to divert boats to Tinian, where a “tent city” was set up to shelter temporarily the Chinese nationals, now nearing 500, or half of the island’s population.
The growing number of the Chinese illegals has alarmed local officials because of security problems their presence may pose to the community, as well as its potential impact on local immigration problems.
At the same time, Tenorio ordered local authorities to strengthen its campaign against human smugglers in light of reports that CNMI is being used as base for this illegal operation.
Recent intrusions by Chinese boats loaded with illegal immigrants were attributed to the Snakehead Gang, a group based in Fujian province in China. Authorities say smugglers charge its victim at least $5,000 to be able to go to Guam.
