by Sabrina Salas Matanane

Guam - Department of Corrections officer Abraham Santiago appeared before the Civil Service Commission on Tuesday night, appealing adverse action that was imposed against him. Last April, Santiago questioned then-DepCor Director J.B. Palacios about why he was never informed of a death threat that specifically named him and the warden.

In the days following that meeting, Santiago faced possible termination for speaking to the media while he was supposed to be at his post - watching the perimeter of the Mangilao compound. Santiago's choice of words when he met with Palacios back in April of last year were the focus of last night's merit hearing

"So you use kuxika in a joking manner? Not in that stage. On April 8, you didn't use it in a joking manner, correct? You meant the word 'kuxika' to be an insult when you used it toward the director, correct?", he was asked, to which he replied, "No." questioned continued, asking him, "You didn't consider those words to your director to be disrespectful? No did you consider the word 'f*ckist director' discourteous? I'm not too familiar with the word discourteous."

Following that meeting Santiago was ordered to work the perimeter of the Mangilao compound. He is appealing a suspension that was a result of insubordination and management's claim that Santiago abandoned his post. Commissioners continue hearing the case tonight.