Witness in drug case missing on Tinian

The CNMI’s Attorney General’s Investigative Unit and Guam police have been conducting a joint investigation into the mysterious disappearance of a drug case witness who was said to be murdered and buried somewhere on Tinian.

Agents from the AGIU, with the assistance from Guam police investigators and the CNMI Department of Public Safety, have been searching for the body of 24-year-old John Garcia Manahane, who was reported missing over the past few months.

The Saipan Tribune has repeatedly tried to contact AGIU, but no one at the agency would comment. DPS Deputy Commissioner For Operations Juan Salas also refused to comment.

But John Manahane’s father, Luis S. Manahane, confirmed to Saipan Tribune over the weekend about the ongoing probe into the possible murder.

Luis Manahane, 48, is working in Redding, California. He flew to Saipan two weeks ago upon learning about his missing son.

In an interview, Luis Manahane said when his California-based sister informed him about the report in early part of October 2005, he started crying.

“For one week, I locked myself inside my room and turned off the light. I asked my son to appear before me if it’s true that he is now dead,” the teary-eyed father recalled.

Luis Manahane said he contacted AGIU, which then advised him to stay close to the CNMI while the investigation is ongoing.

Luis Manahane said that, although he realized how sensitive the investigation is, he and some family members believe that exposing the case to the public through the media may result in witnesses coming forward.

He said a person from Tinian also informed him that the suspect or suspects allegedly killed his son then buried the body near a cliff line on Tinian.

A relative of Luis Manahane disclosed that investigators received tips that John Manahane’s body was chopped into pieces, wrapped in a carpet, and then buried in a big farm.

The relative who requested anonymity, however, stated that the information about the murder remained a speculation unless the body is recovered and other evidence are established.

John Manahane, a resident of Guam, met a girl from Tinian who became his girlfriend. He once worked as a gas attendant at a Shell gas station in Susupe, the relative said.

While staying on Tinian, John Manahane became involved in a drug case and eventually turned into a state witness, the relative added.

The family member said they are bothered as to why John Manahane was not provided protection despite being a state witness to a drug case.

“Was he being told of the consequences of being a state witness? Was he being told not to do this or that?” the relative said.

Saipan Tribune gathered that the AGIU began looking aggressively into the disappearance of John Manahane last August after receiving tips.

Luis Manahane appealed to investigators to expedite the probe so the case could be closed and that he could move on with his life and take care of his other children.

He said the situation has been very difficult for him because he has been so anxious to know whether his son was indeed killed.

“On the other hand, I don’t want to accept it (that he is already dead),” Luis Manahane said of his second to the oldest of 10 children.

It was Luis Manahane who requested Guam police to step in and help in the investigation of the case considering that he and his son are from Guam.