Senator asked to drop proposal to convert Malesso property into military drill site

By Jayvee Vallejera

(This story has been updated to include Sen. Shawn Gumataotao's withdrawal of the bill.)

Sen. Chris Barnett and Malesso Mayor Franklin Champaco have asked Sen. Shawn Gumataotao to withdraw his bill that would transfer 242 acres of land in Malesso from the CHamoru Land Trust Commission to the Guam National Guard. This request comes amid growing concerns about the bill's implications for the local community.

Chris Barnett

Barnett and Champaco argue that Gumataotao's Bill 182-38 poses a significant threat to Guam’s environment, culture and community. The bill would allow the Guam National Guard to convert the property into a training facility and military exercise site.

This proposal was introduced last year at the request of then-adjutant general Brig. Gen. Mike Cruz, who sought the property, which consists of 980,605 square meters of public land.

Writing on behalf of 1,130 residents who contacted the senator's and mayor's offices regarding the bill, Barnett and Champaco expressed their concerns. They believe that setting aside 242 acres of public lands for military and law enforcement training would exacerbate the affordable housing crisis that southern residents of Guam already face.

“Many who have shared concerns about this bill agree these lands would be better suited for the development of affordable homes,” Barnett said. This sentiment reflects a broader preference for community-focused development over military expansion.

Even Col. Karin Watson, the adjutant general of the Guam National Guard, has told Barnett and Champaco during a Jan. 13 meeting that she had no interest in supporting Bill 182-38. Barnett noted that Watson agreed, “that any attempts to use limited public lands should involve transparency, accountability, and community engagement.”

“Without the key pillars of community consideration and an open and democratic discourse, bills like 182-38 end up blindsiding the people and the village communities we all serve,” Barnett and Champaco stated in their letter. This highlights the need for a more inclusive approach to land use decisions that affect local residents.

Gumataotao’s bill is currently with the Committee on Land, Environment, Housing, Agriculture, Parks and Infrastructure. The legislative process can often be complex, but it is crucial for community members to stay informed and engaged.

In a November 2024 letter to CLTC, Cruz mentioned that the lot would be used as a local training area for the land defense of Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, and other areas of responsibility. He proposed developing the area not just for the Guam National Guard’s benefit but also for Guam’s law enforcers and the Guam community, with priority given to Guard drills and training activities.

The area would remain available to the public, as long as civilian activities do not interfere with the Guard’s military purposes, Cruz said. However, this assurance may not alleviate the concerns of residents who fear losing access to vital public lands.

With Cruz now out of the picture and Watson supporting the request to withdraw Bill 182-38, the original request for the lot appears moot. This shift in support raises questions about the future of the land and its intended use.

The Guam National Guard holds weekend drills at the Guard Readiness Center in Barrigada. While military readiness is essential, it should not come at the expense of community needs and environmental protection.

 Gumataotao issued the following statement after withdrawing Bill 182-38 at the request of the Guam National Guard:

"I appreciate the input of Adjutant General Watson and her Command Staff. I take the role of a legislative committee chairman very seriously. The input of the agency leadership under my oversight carries significant weight with the Committee. I have since advised the Speaker and the Committee on Land, Environment, Housing, Agriculture, Parks and Infrastructure on the intentions of the Guam National Guard with Bill 182 and I support their request."

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