An email to Samoa News over the weekend, says ASDHS info released during a press conference last Friday morning, of the reported Manu’a incident is puzzling — although it’s possible that the 4 vessels the department says were passing by Manu’a had their transponders turned off. Read story below. Samoa News was sent screenshots from Global Fish Watch to show only one Taiwanese vessel was in the American Samoa EEZ, at the time of the reported Manu’a C M incident — the rest were American. Tui Samoa is not shown — and the closest vessel to Manu’a was the “Fetu ole Moana”. [Courtesy photos] Y K ONLINE @ SAMOANEWS.COM DAILY CIRCULATION 7,000 PAGO PAGO, AMERICAN SAMOA MONDAY MAY 01, 2017 $1.00 ASDHS says the reported Manu’a incident investigation still ongoing QUESTIONS ABOUND OVER MYSTERY — DID IT HAPPEN? By Rhonda Annesley, editor the incident, on Friday, Apr. 28 at the involved a “large ship anchored off the dispatched n on da way.” The post goes he reported Manu’a inci- ASDHS conference room. coast of Ta’u and small vessels came on to say, “PLEASE PRAY FOR OUR dent from last weekend, Further, Samoa News received an ashore via Nuu gaogao.” One of the FAMILIES. Tutuila stay alert…” that lit up Facebook posts, email over the weekend pointing to posts said, “All village men went to As a result of such posts and phone and caused concern in the another piece of the puzzle that con- see who it is and women and children calls from Manu’a, the DHS released a territory’sT community, continues to flicts with reports from ASDHS. scrambling to safety. Shots fired rn special bulletin on Saturday morning, raise questions, despite a press con- Samoa News reported on Monday, [right now].” The post continues, “I just at 5a.m., Apr. 22 — in both English and ference held by the American Samoa Apr. 24 about the incident, saying that confirmed with homeland sec. n help is Department of Homeland Security on according to FB posts, the incident on the way from Tutuila. Coast Guard (Continued on page 2) Man sentenced for “messing around” with 12-year old girl by Fili Sagapolutele May. to the court, as well as the Samoa News Correspondent In the court room was the victim and her family. “I’m A 20-year old man, who defendant’s mother, who sorry and I promise, it will is accused by the prosecu- sobbed on the witness stand never happen again,” he said C M tion of “messing around with as she gave character witness referring to his criminal act. Y K a child”, in connection with a testimony on behalf of son, He also said that the nearly sex case involving a 12-year saying that “perhaps I am at one-year he has been incar- old girl, has been sentenced fault, as a mother.” cerated, was a hard-learned by the High Court, which Siliga, who was 19 years lesson. “I have learned from pointed out the seriousness of old at the time of the crime, my mistakes,” Siliga said, and the crimes the defendant was was initially charged with one sought for leniency in sen- initially charged with. count each of child molesting, tencing, saying that “I need “The defendant was sodomy, deviate sexual assault my family and my family messing around with a 12-year and sexual abuse first degree needs me.” old. That’s a child,” assistant — all felonies and one misde- “I begging you [your attorney general Bob Pickett meanor count of endangering honors] for a chance to prove told the court last Friday and the welfare of a child. to you, I’m a good person,” the prosecutor repeated the However, under a plea the defendant said and asked statement twice to make the agreement with the govern- for forgiveness, as his mother government’s point about the ment, the defendant pled was heard sobbing quietly in seriousness of the case against guilty to sodomy while the the court room after giving her Lusia Cole’s campaign flyer gave student voters a thumbnail Ta’auso Fa’afetai Siliga, who other charges were dismissed. tearful character witness tes- of her platform. She ran and was elected to be the 2017- 18 stu- remains in custody unable to During Friday’s sentencing timony for Siliga, who is the dent member of the Anne Arundel County Board of Education post a $20,000 bond, since he hearing, Siliga addressed the second of seven children. (SMOB). Her mother is a 1991 graduate of Faasao High School, was arrested and charged last court in English, apologizing (Continued on page 4) Clara Uila Cole from Leone. Read story inside. [Courtesy graphic] Page 2 samoa news, Monday May 01, 2017 Last Tuesday morning, Samoa News had the pleasure of driving behind this bus (DOE #105) coming from the east side, heading into the town area. The thick cloud of white smoke was so bad that at times, those driving behind had to stop and keep their distance, because the smoke made it impossible for anyone to see oncoming traffic, pedestrians, etc. What a serious safety issue! Samoa News attempted to contact the proper officials at the Department of Education — who oversee the local school bus fleet — and there was never a straight answer, only a slew of different phone numbers to call and extensive wait times when we called, only to be told to call back. One person who answered the phone said the smoke is not a ‘problem’ as all of the school buses emit the same thing and this is ‘a common occurrence’. (The new buses, Samoa News was told when they first arrived on island, use a different type of fuel, and the “white smoke” is one of it’s side effects. However, the amount coming out — the billowing thick cloud — may not be ‘typical’ of emissions.) Samoa News spoke to an officer with the Depart- ment of Public Safety who said the issue with the smoke should be taken seriously. “Anything that can obstruct your view of the road puts a lot of innocent people, including yourself, at risk,” he said. “Some- thing needs to be done or unnecessary accidents — even deaths — may occur.” Samoa News was referred to the DPS Office of Motor Vehicles where vehicle inspections are car- ried out. No answer or explanation could be obtained from the OMV as of press time yesterday. It is unclear if school buses are even required to undergo inspections and if they do, whether or not they are conducted by the OMV or by DOE. Those who are addressing the issue are confused and apparently, so are the folks at DOE. [Photo: Blue Chen-Fruean] time it purportedly was hap- to search. Samoan (the Tui Samoa). ➧ pening — Friday evening-Sat- The ASDHS director also “But on Global Fish Watch ASDHS says the reported… urday early morning. noted that the USCG said it is there is only one Taiwanese Continued from page 1 The ASDHS director said it also possible that the alleged vessel in the American Samoa Samoan — advising the public situation. was the governor who advised vessel or vessels could have EEZ — the rest are American. “not to be alarmed, the alleged The director of ASDHS that a public bulletin be issued had their transponders turned Tui Samoa is not shown — and incident or unconfirmed Samana Semo Ve’ave’a said early Saturday morning to off, not allowing them to be the closest vessel to Manu’a is sighting has been reported to during Friday’s media con- allay the fears of the public tracked. Fetuolemoana. the U.S. Coast Guard Office ference that Gov. Lolo Mata- concerning the reported inci- Ve’ave’a said the next step “So were the three Chi- and the Department of Public lasi Moliga was aware of the dent, which alleged shots in the investigation of the nese boats moving without Safety. There were no gun reported incident, as it was being fired. reported incident is to go to transponders on? Or did they shots fired, no persons injured, happening via FB postings, and Ve’ave’a said that they are Manu’a — representatives of simply not exist. It’s clear from and conditions are safe in monitored with the ASDHS still unable to confirm exactly DHS, USCG and the Depart- Fetuolemoana’s track that it Ta’u, Manu’a.” It said ASDHS the issue of the alleged sight- what happened last Friday ment of Public Safety — and did not go to Manu’a and is would continue to monitor the ings in Ta’u, Manu’a at the night-early Saturday morning ask residents directly about the plainly engaged in fishing,” he in Manu’a, because they have incident. said. only phone calls from Manu’a He said it could be drug (In the 1970s, Field was of the reported incident, some related, then it would be a DPS the press secretary to Prime conflicting information, and no matter, but right now, no one Minister Tupuola Efi in Apia, Salon Sophia ‘photos’ or ‘credible’ evidence can say for certain, and they Samoa and authored a major on hand. He said phone calls will be ‘on the ground’ in study of the Mau.) Happy Mothers Day coming in include not only Manu’a to piece together the ASDHS director, during the from Ta’u, where the incident incident. media conference last Friday was reported to have hap- Of interest, an email morning, said the alleged inci- 10% OFF pened, but from other areas in received by Samoa News dent has highlighted the lack ALL Chemical the Manu’a islands.