Court sets Atalig sentencing on Aug. 22

Superior Court Associate Judge Juan T. Lizama has set on Aug. 22, 2000 the sentencing of former Coastal Resources Management Office Director Felipe Q. Atalig after he was found guilty of misconduct in public for sexually harassing a CRMO employee.
In a 16-page decision, Judge Lizama also convicted Mr. Atalig of one count of assault and battery and one count of disturbing the peace. Four other charges against Mr. Atalig were dismissed by the court.
The case stemmed from a complaint filed by Mina L. Muna, an administrative secretary at CRMO who accused Mr. Atalig of sexually harassing her on March 11 and 12, 1999 during the agency’s beautification project in Rota.
Assistant Attorney General Marvin J. Williams had originally filed four counts of assault and battery, two counts of disturbing the peace and two counts of misconduct in public office, but the court said the prosecution failed to provide sufficient testimony and evidence to convict the ex-CRMO chief of the four other charges.
Ms. Muna arrived in Rota in the early evening of March 11, 1999 and was at first brought to Sunrise Hotel for possible accommodation. She viewed the room and found it acceptable but Mr. Atalig proceeded to Rota Resort Hotel to look at alternative accommodations specifically to separate her from other CRM employees.
While at Sunrise Hotel, Mr. Atalig made arrangements for private dinner, an action the court has described as “improper” as it strengthened a greater plan to isolate the victim from the group.
Mr. Atalig handed Ms. Muna an envelope containing a key for a room that had originally been reserved for Lt. Gov. Jesus R. Sablan. “The court finds that the defendant improperly used his position as director of CRM to obtain the room for Ms. Muna for the purpose of separating her from other CRM employees, specifically Martin B. Castro, in order that he may attempt to achieve sexual gratification at her expense,” Judge Lizama said.
The court said Mr. Atalig committed the act of disturbing the peace when he used his position as CRM director to obtain a room for Ms. Muna which was away from other CRM employees “for the improper purpose of attempting to kiss a subordinate employee while traveling on a government trip on official CRM business.”

Sexual Advances
The court described in graphic detail the sexual advances committed by Mr. Atalig but Saipan Tribune decided to omit some portions which are no longer fit for publication.
Both Ms. Muna and Mr. Atalig had dinner at Totot Dining bungalow at Sunrise Hotel on March 11, 1999. In her testimony, Ms. Muna said the former CRM chief turned off the light, attempted to kiss her and place his tongue in her mouth after they finished their meal. But Mr. Atalig denied it.
At the Rota Resort, Ms. Muna, who was standing at the door of her room, was grabbed by Mr. Atalig and kissed her on the mouth while holding her face. Mr. Atalig attempted to force his tongue inside Ms. Muna’s mouth, but she resisted. “He then forcibly lifted Ms. Muna’s blouse and bra, exposing her left breast, which he proceeded in his mouth to suck the nipple,” according to Judge Lizama’s decision.
The terrified Ms. Muna told Mr. Atalig: “[S]top, you are my boss, if you continue to do this I can no longer work at CRM.” Mr. Atalig replied: “I am not so stupid to try this in the office,” then he grasped Ms. Muna’s right hand and placed it on his crotch.
Not contented, Mr. Atalig even suggested that they move to the couch. Again, Ms. Muna resisted. This led Mr. Atalig to leave the room.
On March 12, 1999, between 5:30 to 6:30 a.m., Mr. Atalig returned to Rota Resort to bring Ms. Muna to the beautification project. When Ms. Muna opened the main door of the suite, Mr. Atalig attempted to kiss Ms. Muna on the mouth. She pushed him away and tried to retrieve some of her belongings. He then followed Ms. Muna to the bathroom, removed the hair dryer from the wall and use it on the victim’s hair.
At approximately 8:30 a.m., Ms. Muna left Rota and returned to Saipan.