By: L.N. Reklai KOROR, Palau (December 29, 2025) — An inmate who was set on fire inside Koror Jail last weekend died in the hospital on Saturday, Dec. 27, despite earlier statements by Bureau of Public Safety (BPS) Director Elobt that his burn injuries were not serious, intensifying scrutiny of safety, oversight and transparency at […]
Author Archives: Island Times
Posted inOpinion
Palau’s Dignity Is Not For Sale but YOU SOLD IT for 7.5 million.
Dear Editor, I wanted to start in January 2026 to write about all the possibilities in 2026 but I had to respond below to this end of year announcement. The announcement that Palau will accept up to 75 deportees for $7.5 million should make every Palauan sit up and ask: what have we traded for […]
Posted inTop Stories
Reported Jail Escape Adds to Turmoil at Palau’s Bureau of Public Safety
By: L.N. Reklai KOROR, Palau (December 29, 2025) — The Bureau of Public Safety is facing another apparent inmate escape, the latest in a series of serious incidents that have raised concerns about jail security and oversight. Inmate Christopher Corona, also known as Tobal Corona, reportedly escaped from custody late Sunday night, sometime between 10 […]
Posted inTop Stories
Palau terminates ship registry operator amid sanctions, oversight failures; lawmakers debate interim authority
By: L.N. Reklai KOROR, Palau (December 29, 2025) — Palau has terminated the operational management of its Palau Open Ship Registry, ending a long-running arrangement with International Shipping Bureau Management Ltd. (IML) and its designated implementing companies after concluding the registry was no longer functioning adequately, according to government actions and legislative discussions this month. […]
Posted inTop Stories
Bill to Lower Bonding Requirements for Palauan Contractors Stalled by Registry Provision
By: Eoghan Olkeriil Ngirudelsang KOROR, Palau — A bill intended to ease construction bonding requirements for Palauan-owned companies bidding on government projects has been deferred in the Senate, after lawmakers raised concerns over an unrelated shipping registry provision added by the House of Delegates. Senate Bill 12-22, which reached its third and final reading last […]
Posted inTop Stories
Foreign workers, local sponsors: Inside Palau’s hotel scam centers
KOROR, 23 DECEMBER 2025 (OCCRP) — When police raided the Cocoro Hotel in Palau’s main city of Koror in January, the scene they uncovered was far removed from the tiny Pacific Island country’s postcard-perfect image. Picture-perfect aerial view of Malakal and the famous Rock Islands of Koror State, the commercial center of Palau. It was […]