THE POLICE WHO CAN’T BE BOUGHT: Ret. PCapt. Malasi joins the Vice Mayoralty Race in Tinglayan

Retired PCapt. Alexander Malasi spent almost three decades of his life serving and protecting the people in his areas of work. In those years, Malasi remained true to his roots and stayed grounded in the Kalinga Core Values of Paniyaw, Ngilin, and Bain. These, he said, were the reasons why not even millions in bribes separated him from his principles.

The retired police officer is now running for the Vice-Mayoralty race in Tinglayan, hoping he can likewise set another example, this time as a political public servant.  

Malasi who is from Bangad, Tinglayan retired from service in 2023, folding his uniform at the Lubuagan Municipal Police Station as the Chief of Police. Though he remained active in helping facilitate peace and order as a civilian after his retirement, he wanted to continue serving the people in Tinglayan. Thus, his bid for Municipal Vice Mayor in the May 2025 polls.

The retired police officer is known for his contributions to peace and order, tribal conflict resolution, and public safety in Kalinga Province – a testament to these are the tons of medals he collected: Medalya ng Papuri, Medalya ng Kasanayan, Kagalingan, Paglaban sa Manliligalig, Paglilingkod sa Luzon, Paglilingkod Laban sa Kriminalidad, Pagtulong sa Nasalanta, Mabuting Asal, Ugnayang Pampulisya, among others.

These awards, likewise, are not merely just recognitions as there were stories behind them – one was the saving of the lives of three individuals whose helicopter crashed in Kalinga, another was his fight against illegal drugs, and his refusal to accept millions in bribe money.

Standing his ground

In 2013, a helicopter ferrying three police officers – one of them a high-ranking official crashed in a remote area in Tinglayan, Kalinga, due to turbulent winds. At the time, Malasi was the flagman.

Recalling that particular day, Malasi recounted rushing to the chopper and pulling the three police officers out from the helicopter by himself and took them to safety until rescuers arrived.

Malasi, in those years, also led various anti-illegal drug operations which resulted in the confiscation of millions of contraband, arrests of a number of drug personalities, and the burning of billions-worth of fully-grown marijuana plants.

In his 29 of service years as a police officer, Malasi stood for his principles and embodied the Kalinga Core Values, proving that he walks the talk and not a member of NATO (No Action, Talk Only).

There was this incident where someone bribed him with millions of cash just to release a prisoner, but he did not give in and held onto the Kalinga Core Values and his principles to enforce his mandate as a law enforcer and a peacekeeper.

Leveraging on these rich credentials and enormous experience in peace and order, Malasi said he is ready to take on the role to lead the Municipality of Tinglayan as Vice Mayor should he get elected on May 12.