Community demands withdrawal of 'problematic' military agreement

A proposed agreement governing how military projects move forward on Guam is sparking strong community reaction, with lawmakers now joining the call to withdraw it.

Jesse Chargualaf with Independent Guahan said, "The correct response to military permits that seek to bulldoze sacred stones and CHamoru bones, Magahaga, tell them and we will stand beside you, tell them, ‘[Expletive] you, I won’t do what you tell me.’" A public hearing charged with emotion on Thursday where voice after voice urged lawmakers to scrap the draft 2025 Programmatic Agreement, calling it “problematic.”

Prutehi Guahan's Monaeka Flores added, "It is extremely disappointing that our [State Historic Preservation Officer Patrick Lujan] is not doing more to advocate for the people." And Baltazar Bordallo Aguon said, "We need a process that respects our perpetual connection to our land, not a streamlined agreement designed to manage us out of the way."

The agreement, between Joint Region Marianas and the Guam State Historic Preservation Officer, would set the framework for how the military complies with the National Historic Preservation Act during construction and other projects on island. It’s intended to fine tune and replace the 2008 PA.

But many among the community argue it would limit the SHPO’s oversight of historic and cultural sites. Yigo resident Jarren Saralu said, "There are facts that must be taken into account before we can move forward, otherwise we are no better than dogs who roll belly up when the alpha comes around. The SHPO... has failed in his duty and responsibilities by letting this go to the desk of the office of the governor."

Senator Sabina Perez, with bipartisan support, introduced Resolution 144-38, calling for the immediate withdrawal of the draft agreement and demanding that all military undertakings go through the full Section 106 review process. Dr. Robert Underwood, a former Guam congressman and the chairman of the Pacific Center for Island Security, said, "There really is not much trust because there’s not much transparency in the 2008 agreement."

He also questioned, "Where is the stated effort to protect our environment?"

Testimony lasted nearly two hours with overwhelming support for withdrawal.

In the meantime, the draft agreement remains under review and the resolution has not yet seen final action, but the message from many in the community was clear. Veronica Cruz, a UOG student and artist, said, "For many CHamorus, Guahan is our only home. Our consent must always be a priority."