Ex-Saipan resident missing in Idaho

Joe Salas, a former resident of Saipan and brother of CNMI delegate candidate Andrew Salas, has gone missing in Boise, Idaho, following a hunting trip this past weekend.

Joe, who moved to the U.S. mainland some five years ago, also used to be the president of the Saipan Little League Baseball Association, a staff of former representative Ed Salas at the House of Representatives, and used to manage a garment factory in Tanapag.

Joe Salas

Andrew said his brother went hunting a couple of days ago and hasn’t been seen or heard off in the past 48 hours. He said he’s worried because the weather in the area where Joe went hunting wasn’t so good and the terrain is very rough.

“It’s not a good time to be out there, especially at night,” he said in a phone interview yesterday.

Andrew said Joe went out with several hunters and all of them, except Joe, returned safely. He said this has put all his campaign activities on hold.

“My brother Joe is missing and my whole family is hurting. My brothers from Las Vegas just flew in to Boise to assist in the search. Another brother from the military is also flying in. I’m currently at the airport in Guam en route to Saipan, but I’m also contemplating flying out to Boise.”

Andrew Salas is the eldest of 15 siblings—nine boys and six girls. He said Joe is 50 years old.

“I was with him for six months last year and while we are always close we became closer when he recently was here. He is also my [election campaign] chairman in Boise. It breaks my heart that my brother is missing. I’m running for office, but my brother means the world to me. I have to make a decision whether to stay or fly to Boise, Idaho. If I do fly, I want to ask all my supporters to please forgive me because I have to do this.”

Andrew, a former congressman and Commerce secretary, is running under the Democratic Party banner.

With regards to Joe’s wife and their two sons, Andrew said Cathy is going through the episode in her own way “Appreciate all the prayers for the return of my brother to his wife, Cathy, who is heartbroken. We’ve all supportive of one another.”

One thing working for Joe is he is a U.S. Army veteran, according to Andrew.

“My brother is a former Army man. He has survival skills. I know my brother will make it. We just need to be strong physically and emotionally. With God’s help will get our brother back.”

This incident has brought everyone in the tight-knit CNMI community together as attested by Cathy Salas’ Facebook page being inundated with messages of sympathy and support.

Even Delegate Gregorio Kilili C. Sablan (Ind-MP), who Andrew is challenging in the Nov. 4 polls, offered his sympathies to the Salas family.

“I met up with Joe just a few weeks ago at the Portland softball games. So I was shocked when I heard the news that he hasn’t returned from hunting in the wilderness of Idaho. Joe is an experienced hunter and we pray that searchers will locate Joe and bring him home to Cathy and their family,” said Sablan. “Andrea and I, and I know many others in our communities are praying for Joe’s safe return. And we know that our close-knit Commonwealth community in Idaho is there providing solace for Cathy and their children.”

The Inos administration also extended its support to Joe’s family through Gov. Eloy S. Inos’ acting press secretary, Ivan Blanco.

“Mr. Salas is an honorable veteran and a beloved member of our community. We all are praying for his safe return. The local authorities in Idaho are exhausting their efforts to bring him safely home. He and his entire family are in our thoughts during this difficult time. We ask the community to continue to pray for him and the family.”

Joe’s friends in the sports community were also stunned at the news.

“It was a shock to us. We didn’t expect this to happen. I just met him in the CNMI Labor Day Tournament last month and we talked on the field. I pray for his safe return,” said Northern Mariana Sports Association executive director Tony Rogolifoi.

He said Joe served as president of the local Little League program three or four times and was instrumental in improving the state of youth baseball on the island.

In a Facebook posting, Department of Land and Natural Resource Secretary Arnold I. Palacios asked the island community to pray for Joe’s safe return.

“I ask that we all pause and pray for our Almighty to give Joe Salas the strength and the will to remain strong as rescuers seek out to find him and to bring him back safely to his family. Please pray for his safe return.”