Rebuttal to Ingram

This is in response to Public Safety Commissioner Charles W. Ingram’s comments in an article published in your newspaper Oct. 22, 199 (Page 1) which mentioned my name, Magdalena Concepcion, mother of one of the inmates’ girlfriend will be investigated, and that I have done a great disservice to the people of the Marianas by helping prisoners is “hog wash” and “was very wrong.”

He mentioned two petitions in which I have never seen nor have access to. I do know of one only which I hand carried to the Governor personally after working hours. This was a favor for one of the inmates’ relative since I leave in Kagman I brought the letter to the Governor’s Office which is on my way home from work.

The Governor was aware of such a letter because I have talked to him about it. The fax copy wasn’t clear so I had to give him the original letter. The letter I gave to the Governor was intended for him from the inmates, who wrote to apologize to him and explain the real reasons for their escape.

How can I, Magdalena Concepcion, be a “disservice” to the people of the Marianas? Just because I gave a handwritten personal letter to the Governor stating their areas of concerns that have not been addressed for who knows how long. I do not know what is going on in those facilities because I do not live there.

As a law abiding citizen of the Northern Mariana Islands, where are my constitutional rights here? To be accused guilty out in the public without a trial by the Commissioners himself. Who gave him the authority to do that? Is it because the letter reached the Governor before he could destroy it? I wonder what he would do with the letter if it didn’t reach the Governor. Will he destroy it and dump it? Will he ignore it before another breakout happens and try to clean up those situations?

This time Commissioner what is your lame excuse? Since you assumed the post as public safety commissioner last March 2, 1998, when did you start to address those problems that you inherited and which you were blaming for the present condition at the facility? I’m sure the public would like to know how you addressed those problems.

Being a well-known individual, to have my name mentioned as the mother of one of the inmates’ girlfriend, has brought a great injustice to my daughter. The comment made was very detrimental to her well-being, both physically and mentally, more so because she is a minor should not ever had been mentioned since she has absolutely no involvement with the action of the escapees.

In closing, my so-called “disservice” to the people of the Marianas was basically to make the Governor become aware of the activities inside the DOC facilities. The letter was made and written by the escapees themselves.

Magdalena Concepcion