Pubdate: Tue, 30 Nov 2004
Source: Pacific Daily News (US GU)
Copyright: 2004 Pacific Daily News
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Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1122
Author: Oyaol Ngirairikl

REGIONAL POLICE OFFICIALS MEET

In the past two years, police officials in the Federated States of 
Micronesia have found two headless bodies washed up on their shores.

"We believe the bodies may be connected to drug trafficking," said Pius 
Chotailug, director of the FSM Division of National Police, adding that 
shortly after the bodies were found, drugs packed in boxes were found 
washed up on the shores. The second box last year was found by a group of 
children who opened the boxes and played with their contents, not knowing 
what they were.

Drug trafficking is just one of the issues that the FSM National Police, 
along with police officials from the Republic of Palau and the Commonwealth 
of Northern Mariana Islands, are discussing during the three-day Regional 
Chiefs of Police Executive Summit at the LeoPalace Resort in Manenggon Hills.

Gov. Felix P. Camacho, in a keynote address, said yesterday a regional 
approach to public safety will combat crime.

"A clear focus on strengthening our infrastructure against terrorism, 
international drug trafficking and other global problems that adversely 
affect our region will go a long way in creating a safer, more secure 
quality of life for all of Micronesia."

Hazime Telei, Palau's director of Bureau of Public Safety, said he's 
grateful to Guam police Chief Frank Ishizaki for taking the role in leading 
the summit.

"We are different countries, different shapes, different sizes, but we all 
face the same problems in terms of crime," Telei said.

Two areas of particular concern to Telei are the alcohol-related traffic 
accidents in Palau and illegal drugs, which are routed through Palau to 
Guam and the CNMI.

"In terms of technology and training, Guam is like the big brother who 
knows what's going on and is willing to help the rest of us," Telei said.

On Guam, police use radar to detect speeding, and offer community 
education, such as the Buckle Up Guam Campaign and the car-seat safety checks.

Telei said he wants to see similar driver education programs implemented in 
Palau.
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