‘I attended PELP seminar as contributing community member’

Former Department of Public Safety commissioner Clement R. Bermudes said yesterday he attended the Pacific Executive Leaders Program in Hawaii last March 4 to 8 as a “contributing member of the community.”

Bermudes said he applied last year for the PELP seminar and was selected twice prior to resigning the position of DPS commissioner last Jan. 26.

He said he deferred the first time for May 2023 due to the typhoon, then reapplied for 2024.

“My selection clearly was based upon my extensive experience in emergency management, leadership skills, education and training,” said the retired U.S. Army lieutenant colonel.

Since Bermudes had already resigned as DPS commissioner last Jan. 26, his attendance at the weeklong PELP seminar came as a surprise to some of the CNMI delegation.

The seminar, which was held at the ‘Imiloa Astronomy Center of the University of Hawaii at Hilo, was sponsored by the Center for Homeland Defense and Security, and Federal Emergency Management Agency. The CNMI did not incur any expense for that event.

CNMI Homeland Security and Emergency Management special assistant Franklin Babauta, who was among four members of the CNMI delegation at the seminar, said on Monday that they were surprised to see Bermudes at the event, but he did not ask Bermudes why he was there and that he believes the others from Saipan also did not ask him the same question.

Babauta believes the PELP already knew about Bermudes’ status because they changed his title on the table from “commissioner” to “LTC Army, retired.”

To participate in the seminar, one should first be invited as a CNMI government employee.

A former government official who requested not be identified told Saipan Tribune yesterday that FEMA chooses the PELP participants, including those from non-government organizations and the private sector; the PELP website made that clear.

PELP is a graduate-level educational offering built upon the existing Executive Leaders Program, which is composed of local, state, tribal, territorial and federal officials, as well as private sector partners.

At the seminar, Bermudes offered insights from his experiences in homeland defense and security as well as support for FEMA.

Bermudes said the PELP strengthens the abilities and increases the capacity for the CNMI to respond to disasters and major catastrophes.

“This is a professional development event that we must invest in so we can move in the positive and sustainable direction for our people,” said the former DPS chief, adding that jealousy and ignorance do not create opportunities for people.

As for the replacement of his “commissioner” title on the table with retired Army lieutenant colonel, Bermudes said he is not sure why, and pointed out that he was no longer in that commissioner position at the seminar.

“But ignorant people assume something sinister,” said Bermudes, adding that he is forever an Army lieutenant colonel because he earned it.

He said he suspects that the same people who convinced Gov. Arnold I. Palacios to ask for his resignation are creating another mess again. Bermudes resigned as DPS commissioner at the instruction of Palacios.

“Some people just cannot handle the truth, facts and reality,” Bermudes pointed out. “Instead of sharing the program to people, they focus on the irrelevant things.”