Military buildup must deliver for CNMI, gubernatorial bets say

Make federal contractors pay CNMI taxes, protect the environment, prioritize local businesses and workers, and leverage the islands’ strategic importance for greater investment.

Those were among the positions offered by the three gubernatorial bets when they were asked whether their administrations would support the military buildup in the Northern Marianas.

Independent gubernatorial bets Blas Jonathan “BJ” T. Attao and Lawrence F. Camacho and CNMI Republican Party gubernatorial bet Ralph DLG Torres addressed the buildup during the eighth question of the Marianas Press 2026 gubernatorial debate last Aug. 18 at Pacific Islands Club Saipan’s Charley’s Cabaret.

The question came during the second half of the debate, following a 10-minute break.

Moderator Thomas Manglona II noted that community members have voiced support for and opposition to the buildup before asking: “What will be your administration’s stance on the buildup in the NMI?”

The military question was the eighth of 11 posed during the debate.

Attao, a longtime House representative, said the buildup was already underway and should be used to create economic opportunities for the Commonwealth.

“The buildup is happening already,” Attao said.

Attao said the federal government’s national security interests would leave a significant footprint on Tinian and other islands. He argued that contractors working on military projects should register in the Commonwealth and pay local taxes.

“We need to make sure the Department of War’s contractors, first and foremost, register here in the CNMI, pay their taxes here in the CNMI,” Attao said.

Attao cited figures involving military projects and CNMI tax collections, but the amounts could not be clearly established from the debate transcript and were not independently verified.

He also called for federal investment in health care, hospitals, ports, and other infrastructure that could benefit both the military and CNMI residents.

“They should pay to play here,” Attao said.

Attao said his administration, together with running mate and House Speaker Edmund S. Villagomez, would demand equal treatment for CNMI residents and businesses.

“We’re not going to beg for it. We’re not going to ask for it. We’re going to demand equal opportunity for our people here in the CNMI,” Attao said.

He also suggested that Covenant Section 902 consultations could be used to address federal policies and military contracts that he believes are not producing sufficient benefits for the Commonwealth.

Torres, a former governor, pointed to negotiations with military officials during his administration and said he resisted proposals that he believed would require the CNMI to surrender too much land or control without adequate benefits.

“I’m going to hold this as tight as I can, because I’m not letting go, because I know what my people need and what my people have,” Torres said.

Torres said he opposed putting the proposed divert airfield on Saipan and pushed for it to be located on Tinian, where much of the land leased by the federal government is situated.

He also said his administration pressed the military to address environmental concerns and reduce the proposed number of training activities under the Commonwealth Joint Military Training plan.

“We protected the environment, and yes, we need to continue to work for development and more investment into it,” Torres said.

Torres maintained that his administration helped remove Pagan from consideration for military bombing activities and reduce the proposed training missions. His characterization of those negotiations was not independently verified during the debate.

He also cited about $900 million in current military investment and called for the CNMI to secure more. The figure was Torres’ and was not independently verified during the debate.

Camacho, a former Education commissioner and retired military officer, said the CNMI must negotiate firmly with the federal government to ensure that military spending contributes to the local economy.

“We need to sit down at the table,” Camacho said.

Camacho pointed to his experience working at the U.S. Embassy in Egypt and serving as a military logistician, saying that background would help him negotiate with federal officials.

He proposed seeking military investment in a shipyard, improved port facilities, and airfields that could serve both strategic and civilian needs.

Camacho also suggested using vacant warehouses left from the garment industry to store military supplies and equipment.

He acknowledged that some residents might be concerned about the CNMI becoming a storage location for the military but said the proposal could create economic opportunities while supporting the islands’ strategic role.

“There’s all kinds of opportunities for us to educate the folks that it’s not going to be as dangerous as they see, but it will make more money for us than ever,” Camacho said.

Camacho said he and running mate and former Senate president Edith Deleon Guerrero would seek agreements that provide measurable benefits to residents rather than accepting federal plans without negotiation.

The gubernatorial bets then got a minute each for rebuttal.

Torres used his rebuttal to emphasize the importance of giving CNMI companies opportunities to provide goods and services for military projects.

“If we can provide services, then the military has to prioritize our local businesses,” Torres said.

Torres said he had pushed for local-business participation during his administration and would continue advocating for CNMI companies to receive military-related work.

Camacho used his rebuttal to question whether military vessels and activities in waters surrounding the CNMI were producing adequate taxes or fees for the Commonwealth.

“Are they paying any taxes? Are they paying anything? Are they paying any fees for just parking out there?” Camacho asked.

Camacho said his administration would demand direct discussions with federal officials and seek agreements that benefit both sides.

“The days are coming when we tell them what we need from them, and we’re going to demand it, and we’re going to work with them and negotiate so that it’s a win-win for both sides,” Camacho said.

He argued that the CNMI is strategically important to the United States and should use that position to secure federal help in rebuilding its economy.

Attao closed the rebuttal round by calling for local residents to receive a fair shot at military-related employment.

“Equality is a standard,” Attao said.

Attao cited an example of a truck driver being brought from Virginia for a $70,000 job on Tinian and questioned why a qualified resident could not have been hired. His account of that position and salary was not independently verified during the debate.

“We don’t beg for it. We should demand that the standards are fair for our people here in the CNMI,” Attao said.

Attao said military investment on Tinian should reach residents and villages instead of benefiting only a limited number of establishments.