CNMI Department of Public Safety PIO Fred Sato said former Police Officer Earl Borja was arrested on February 20, 2026, and faces charges of assault & battery, assault with a dangerous weapon, and misconduct in public office.
It comes amid a probe into a December 2025 incident, where two CNMI police officers allegedly assaulted a man, prompting the immediate removal of both officers from patrol duties and the involvement of investigators from the Office of the Attorney General.
In a press conference last Dec. 30, DPS Commissioner Anthony Macaranas told the media that the alleged incident occurred last Dec. 19, but was not formally reported until Dec. 22, when the victim’s father contacted authorities.
The complaint alleges that the victim was assaulted by two police officers. In December, Macaranas confirmed that the two officers involved are seasoned members of the department but said their disciplinary histories, if any, could not yet be discussed. Nevertheless, he said DPS will get to the bottom of the assault case against its own officers. Macaranas also issued a public apology to the alleged victim and the family, saying there would be no cover-up and that DPS is committed to seeing the investigation through to its conclusion.
“I assure them that this case will continue. And I have no intent of any cover-up or any discourse of this investigation, and I look forward to this investigation shining a light at the end so that we can bring justice to the victim,” he said.
This is a developing story on Marianas Press.
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