'Listen to our voices': Guam Defense Forum hears critical discussions, concerns on military defense

The Guam Defense Forum kicked off Wednesday in Tumon with critical discussions on military readiness and posture. In day one of the two day forum, over 300 participants including local leaders, senior military officials and community members gathered for critical discussions as military defense ramps up.

In the keynote address, US Indo-Pacom Commander Admiral Samuel Paparo discussed Guam’s role in the Indo-Pacific strategy amid growing threats from China and North Korea.

“The threats are not just missiles and ships," Paparo stated. "Cyberattackers strike Guam’s lifelines– power grids, water systems, ports, hospitals [and] schools. In May 2023, Chinese hackers known as Volt Typhoon penetrated US critical infrastructure, including here on Guam."

He aid “Guam never stands alone and must never stand alone,” adding the territory anchors America’s capability to defend, project power, sustain alliances and to deter aggression.

Governor Lou Leon Guerrero spoke on that partnership, as she and the admiral answered questions from participants.

“Believe me, I have said to the military ‘We welcome you and we want to partner with you, but you have to respect our culture, our environment and our people. And you have to work with us within our own protocols to do that.’ I have to say, since my administration, I have not seen anything that they do to go against that request,” Leon Guerrero said.

Among those in attendance, Senator Sabina Perez shared several concerns– from environmental degradation, affordable housing shortage, to the future plans for nuclear energy.

“We ask that you do not diminish our voices. Every time I’ve seen an environmental impact statement, it talks about the harms and then it goes on to minimize the impacts. How is that genuine? How is that being a true partner? We ask that you listen to our voices, seriously," Perez stated.

“Senator, we pledge to be sources for transparency, for teamwork, for dialogue, and for respect. And when we’re not doing that, we’re human. We expect and we ask for our partners in Guam government to hold us to account,” Paparo replied in response.

Pacific Center for Island Security Chairman and former congressman Dr. Robert Underwood also underscored that Guam is a “non-participant” in these conversations, especially with a non-voting delegate.

“The people of Guam are being asked to share a disproportionate burden of this response to the China-US competition on this side of the world. They’re being asked to share a burden that no other US community is being asked to shoulder," Underwood said.

"So the question then becomes, for our political leadership and community, is there a disproportionate gain from all this? What will the people of Guam gain out of this if they’re being asked to shoulder a disproportionate burden?" he questioned.

No shield is a hundred percent, according to Retired colonel Tim Puzan with the Guam National Guard. He asked the admiral how he’s planning for the first 30 days should a strike from China hit Guam.

"My concern is what happens if after that initial strike does occur, maybe the port is taken out and the airport is taken out. We have sustainability issues when it comes to our population. I would hate to see a delineation between the military population being taken care of and the civilian population being taken care of," Puzan said.

In response, the admiral reaffirmed his commitment to all Americans, saying, "We don’t cultivate any sense of otherness between the military and the people of Guam. and we ask and pray that Guam does not create a sense of otherness against soldiers, sailors, Marines, guardians and civilians who live, work and make their home here."