6 Pinoys detained in Saipan

SAIPAN, Northern Marianas — Six Filipinos, one of them a one-year-old boy, were detained by local authorities yesterday for illegally entering the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas Islands (CNMI) by boat last Friday. The islands are under the jurisdiction of the United States.

American national William Frank Malpezzi, 47, was also arrested for allegedly piloting the boat that brought in the six Filipino nationals without the necessary immigration documents, save for their passports.

The Attorney General’s Office (AGO) filed 12 criminal charges yesterday against Malpezzi. Assistant Attorney General Justin Wolosz, the AGO’s immigration enforcement attorney, said the Filipinos have been held at the immigration detention center. He identified them as Robert Taganas, 31; Adonis and Arlyn Adajar, 21 and 30, respectively; Ronie Inocencio, 21; Dennis Gajisan, 28; and a one-year-and-eight-month-old boy.

Malpezzi and the Filipinos were arrested when they arrived in Saipan, one of the islands belonging to the Commonwealth of Northern Marianas, Friday afternoon. The group was on board a 30-foot wooden boat with bamboo outriggers that sailed across the Pacific Ocean.

Wolosz said they left Luzon on July 4 and sailed to the Northern Mariana islands of Palau, Yap, and then Saipan. "Their plan was to enter the CNMI," he said. Wolosz said the group’s illegal entry into the CNMI is still under investigation.

Unconfirmed information said some of the Filipinos wanted to find work in Saipan, while others claimed to be just tourists. When the boat landed at Saipan, Wolosz said Malpezzi did not even contact harbor personnel. Wolosz charged Malpezzi with six counts each of assisting an illegal entry, and aiding, abetting and encouraging illegal entry.

Superior Court Associate Judge Juan Lizama yesterday granted a $12,000-bail on Malpezzi, who was brought to the Division of Corrections following his arrest.

Immigration proceedings have been instituted against the Filipinos. Lizama granted a $10,000 bail on each of the Filipinos, except the child, who was allowed release without bail. Wolosz said the AGO is coordinating with the Division of Youth and Services to look after the child’s welfare while the immigration case is ongoing.