Guam News - Guam News

Guam - Guam Police Public Information Officer A.J. Balajadia has issued a release refuting any suggestion of a police cover up in the Blue House case and reporting that GPD Chief Fred Bordallo is "pleased" with the outcome which resulted in a life sentence being given to owner Song Ja Cha following her conviction on human trafficking charges. 

During the Blue House trial last year, Guam Police Officer David Manila admitted he had sex with one of the employees after buying her a drink. There was also testimony that other GPD officer provided protection to Cha allowing her, now closed bar, to remain in operation. An adverse action complaint was filed against Officer Manila, but he remains on the force.No other action has been taken against any other officer.

In his statement, Officer Balajadia writes: "At this point in time the U.S. Attorney has not charged/indicted any officers with regard to this trial. Some in the media may give the impression of a cover-up which is not the case."

READ the statement from Offcier balajadia in FULL below:

Police Chief Fred Bordallo who is currently attending the FBI Law Enforcement Executive Development Seminar in Quantico, Virginia has been following the news reports regarding the sentencing Song Ja Cha in Federal Court. He is pleased with the sentencing and applauds Federal Prosecutors and the officers involved in bringing the case to-light.

January 2008, information received that the owner of The Blue House had possession of several passports and refused to return them to her employees. During the interview of one of the victims it was alleged that prostitution was being conducted at The Blue House. It was also alleged that the owner Song Ja Cha told the girls that the only way to get their passports returned is if they signed a document in the presence of the police so that Cha could be reimbursed for her expenses for getting the girls to Guam from Chuuk. The victim decided to report the incident to the police.

As a result of the initial complaint taken Song Ja Cha was arrested for;

Felonious Restraint
Unlawful Restraint
Criminal Intimidation
Solicitation
Promoting Prostitution
Abetting Prostitution
Compelling Prostitution
Six Counts Assault
1st Degree Criminal Sexual Conduct
2nd Degree Criminal Sexual Conduct

This case was forwarded to the Attorney General's Office and also forwarded to the U.S. Attorney General’s Office and the result was a Federal Indictment, trial, conviction and sentencing.

It is easy to come to conclusions when the police department stays silent regarding investigations; this is our primary stance in order not to compromise any on-going investigation and/or trial.  At this point in time the U.S. Attorney has not charged/indicted any officers with regard to this trial. Some in the media may give the impression of a cover-up which is not the case.

It was Tumon/Tamuning Precinct officers who took the initial complaint and made the arrests in this case, with Captain Kim Santos team of detectives continuing their investigation, gathering evidence and interviewing witnesses.  This conviction was the result of hours spent investigating this case by the Guam Police Department.

I'd like to thank the media for their patience in allowing the process to move forward until the Guam Police Department was able to make a public statement on this issue.