Macaranas nominated as DPS commissioner

Gov. Arnold I. Palacios has nominated retired police officer Anthony Iglecias Macaranas to serve as Department of Public Safety commissioner, a position that he has been occupying in an acting capacity since Jan. 30.

The DPS post became vacant last Jan. 26 after the resignation of Clement Bermudes.

Palacios wrote Senate President Edith E. DeLeon Guerrero (D-Saipan) on Tuesday about his decision to nominate Macaranas, saying he and Lt. Gov. David M. Apatang are confident that Macaranas is qualified and will be an asset to their administration and the CNMI.

The Senate received the governor’s appointment letter yesterday. Macaranas’ appointment requires the advice and consent of the Senate.

Last Jan. 8, Macaranas was named deputy commissioner of the Department of Corrections.

Macaranas rose through the ranks at DPS. He retired from DPS on Jan. 31, 2022, with the rank of assistant Chief of Police.

At the governor’s instruction last Jan. 26, Bermudes, who is a retired U.S. Army lieutenant colonel, resigned as DPS commissioner effective that day. Bermudes said he personally did not want to resign.

In April 2023, the Senate unanimously confirmed Bermudes’ appointment to serve as DPS commissioner.

Anthony I. Macaranas