‘Their memories live on through families and friends’

The 13 fishermen who never returned to Saipan 38 years ago were commemorated in a memorial service last Monday afternoon at the monument named after them—the 13 Fishermen Memorial Monument—along Beach Road in Garapan.

The names of the 13 fishermen engraved in the monument were Isidro R. Romolor, Juan Benusto R. Olopai, Silvestre R. Selepeo, Benusto M. Lisua, Joseph T. Lisua, Joaquin L. Motesou, Joseph R. Kaipat, Emilio T. Lisua, Guillermo Saures, Jovincio C. Falguera, Jose T. Igaslar, Martin T. Saures, and Pedro L. Mettao,

Families and friends of the departed fishermen gathered in the memorial service along with Gov. Arnold I. Palacios, Lt. Gov. David M. Apatang, House Speaker Edmund Villagomez (Ind-Saipan), Senate President Edith DeLeon Guerrero (D-Saipan), Sen. Corina Magofna (Ind-Saipan), Saipan Mayor Ramon “RB” B. Camacho, floor leader Rep. Edwin Propst (D-Saipan), Rep. Marissa Flores (Ind-Saipan), and John Oliver Gonzales.

Villagomez delivered a message before the mass and emphasized the importance of honoring those who have passed and explained the importance of the yearly gathering to remember the 13 fishermen who lost their lives at sea 38 years ago.

“We celebrate and honor our families who have gone before us, most especially the 13 fishermen. We gather every year to remember them and continue to pray for them and their families. It has been 38 years since they lost their lives at sea, but their memories live on to the families and friends,” he said.

Villagomez also reflected on the significance of 38 years, describing it as a generational period for the families.

Moreover, Villagomez expressed his gratitude to the families for preserving the stories of the deceased over the years. He acknowledged various groups including the committee, and government agencies for their contributions to the event.

Meanwhile, Winona Wabol Santos, who is married to the son of Guillermo Saures, shared with Saipan Tribune that her husband, Guillermo Santos, was in the womb of his mother when the incident happened. The younger Guillermo carried his mother’s family name “Santos” and was born in December of 1986, which is three months after Saures’ disappearance.

“To what I was told, they were told not to go out because there’s a storm coming in, and they went out, just never came back,” said Santos.

The husband of Santos and Saures’ son was not able to join this year’s commemoration due to work, but every year they visit the monument to visit her husband’s father.

Santos also shared that her husband also loves to fish but doesn’t eat fish just like her father-in-law. She expressed fear for her husband’s safety while fishing that’s why she has to make sure that someone has to be with him, to ensure his safe return.

Mayor Camacho, who was a police officer 38 years ago, recounted the Department of Public Safety’s involvement in the search operation that lasted for seven days.

“I was involved in the aerial search aboard an airplane. There’s also police boat and charter vessels that headed down to the Northern Islands and all those things as they continued to search in those areas. It’s really a touchy case because the majority are Carolinians and local and you know how local people when they know somebody, they all get together. So, there were a lot of volunteers and family members and they were all just in the dark waiting every day until the search is done. It’s very sad,” he said.

Camacho added that the Division of Parks and Recreation continues to maintain and beautify the 13 Fishermen Memorial Monument and the Saipan Mayor’s Office deploys personnel to water blast the area.

Father Rey Rosal officiated the mass and the event was concluded with dinner.