After 15 years with SAF, iKalinga officer returns home as Tanudan’s new Chief of Police

FEATURE

TANUDAN, Kalinga — After nearly 15 years of serving communities across the country, an iKalinga police officer has finally returned to the province he calls home—not merely to come back, but to lead.

Police Captain Carl Max Cawili, a native of Lubuagan, formally assumed office as the Officer-in-Charge of the Tanudan Municipal Police Station on August 18, 2026, marking his first assignment as Chief of Police in his home province of Kalinga.

The turnover and assumption ceremony, held in Banagao, Poblacion, was presided over by Kalinga Provincial Director PCol. Gilbert Fati-ig and witnessed by NAPOLCOM-Cordillera Regional Director Atty. Henry Dungalam, NAPOLCOM-Kalinga Provincial Director Atty. Michelle B. Gayagay-Lee, and Tanudan Mayor Jaedicke Rhoss Dagadag.

For Cawili, the assignment carries a deeper meaning.

Before taking command in Tanudan, he spent most of his police career serving under the Philippine National Police Special Action Force (SAF), with deployments across Manila, CALABARZON, MIMAROPA, Central Visayas, and Eastern Visayas.

His most recent post before returning to Kalinga was in Palawan, where he served as Chief of Police in one of the province's municipalities.

During the municipality's Kapihan gathering on August 10, Cawili introduced himself before local government employees, barangay officials, and personnel from national government agencies, sharing that his deployment to Tanudan would be his first opportunity to serve as police chief in Kalinga.

He admitted that coming home also comes with expectations.

“Sana yung pagpunta ko dito ay hindi magiging disappointment sa inyo, pero huwag kayong mag-alala. Kasi lahat naman ng pinuntahan ko, kapag nare-relieve ako, hindi naman dahil may record akong mali. I was relieved because gusto nila akong i-elevate,” he assured.

His words reflected the confidence of an officer whose years in service were shaped by assignments in different regions and challenging environments, experiences he now hopes to use in serving his fellow iKalingas.

Protecting peace before crime happens

Taking command of Tanudan also means safeguarding one of Kalinga's most peaceful municipalities.

Over the past several years, Tanudan has consistently recorded zero to minimal crime incidents, earning recognition as a peaceful community where cooperation between residents and local authorities remains strong.

But for Cawili, a low crime rate should never become a reason for complacency.

Instead, he believes true policing begins long before a crime is committed.

“Sinasabi nila na wala akong magiging problema kasi ang Tanudan daw ay zero crime rate. Pero hindi naman ibig sabihin na ganoon ay magpapabaya na tayo. It is better to prevent the occurrence of any incident than to investigate,” he emphasized.

The statement captures the leadership philosophy he intends to bring into his new role—one that focuses on prevention, community partnership, and maintaining the trust that has helped preserve peace in the municipality.

Rather than waiting for incidents to happen, Cawili said he wants the police and the community to work hand in hand in preventing them.

A homecoming built on service

Mayor Jaedicke Rhoss Dagadag welcomed the newly installed police chief and assured him of the Tanudan Local Government Unit's full support in sustaining peace and order throughout the municipality.

The mayor emphasized that maintaining a peaceful community is a shared responsibility, one that requires close collaboration among the LGU, law enforcement, barangay leaders, and residents.

As Cawili begins his new chapter in Tanudan, his journey comes full circle—from a young iKalinga who left home to serve the nation through the Special Action Force, to a seasoned police officer returning with years of experience to protect his own people.

For Tanudan, his assumption of office is the homecoming of an iKalinga son whose greatest mission may now be serving the very community where his roots began.