‘You earn respect by leading’: Igorot son from Mt. Province becomes Bohol’s youngest Chief of Police

FEATURE

At just 28 years old, Police Lieutenant Brett Dales Bantiyan Maslang has already broken barriers as the youngest Chief of Police in the history of Calape, Bohol. But for the Igorot officer whose roots trace back to Barlig, Mountain Province, and Lagawe, Ifugao, leadership is not defined by rank or authority—it is earned through service, competence, and respect.

Born in the Philex Mines community of Camp 3 in Tuba, Benguet, the young Chief of Police (COP) has quickly gained recognition not only for his achievements in law enforcement but also for a leadership style deeply influenced by the values of family, faith, discipline, and service instilled in him by his Cordilleran upbringing.

Maslang’s journey to becoming a Chief of Police in Calape, Bohol

In an interview with GURU Press Cordillera, Maslang shared that his journey to public service was built on a strong academic foundation and years of rigorous training.

He graduated with a degree in Political Science from the University of the Cordilleras in 2017, where he was recognized as one of the Ten Outstanding Students of the Philippines for the Cordillera region.

He later entered the Philippine National Police Academy, graduating as a member of PNPA MASIDTALAK Class of 2023 and finishing 11th in the Final Order of Merit. Maslang further distinguished himself by placing among the top graduates of the Special Action Force Commando Course (Rank 5) and the Public Safety Officers Basic Course (Rank 2), two of the country's most demanding police training programs.

Before assuming his current post, Maslang served in various tactical and administrative positions with the Mandaue City Mobile Force Company, including as Police Community Relations (PCR) Officer, SWAT/EOD-K9 Platoon Leader, and Deputy Force Commander. He was later assigned to the Calape Municipal Police Station as Deputy Chief of Police for Operations before eventually becoming the municipality’s youngest-ever Chief of Police.

Despite his impressive credentials, Maslang admitted that one of the greatest challenges he faced was earning the trust and confidence of officers who had significantly more years of experience in the service.

“Honestly, the biggest hurdle at the start was just overcoming the assumption that because I’m young, I lack capability. When you’re 28 and commanding personnel who have been in the service longer than you've been alive, there’s an immediate pressure to prove yourself. In a situation like that, you don't earn respect by pointing at the rank on your shoulder; instead, you earn it by leading from the front, showing genuine competence, and respecting the deep field experience of your senior officers,” he said.

Maslang also had to overcome language and cultural barriers after being assigned to Bohol, quickly learning local customs and adapting to the community he now serves.

Maslang’s Cordilleran Roots

With his father, Jose, hailing from Barlig, Mountain Province, and his mother, Jacqueline, from Lagawe, Ifugao, Maslang fully credits his Igorot roots and family values for shaping his approach to leadership.

According to him, Cordilleran culture places great importance on faith, education, integrity, and hard work—principles that continue to guide him as a police officer.

“My values as an officer come straight from the deep love of my family and my Igorot roots. In our culture, family shapes your character—my parents and community raised me with a strong faith in God. Igorot leaders have a proud history of honesty, dependability, and excellent leadership. Today, I carry that legacy into my station by leading with clean hands, making smart decisions, and protecting local families with the very same love and dedication my own family gave to me,” Maslang said.

As Chief of Police, Maslang hopes to build a disciplined, highly capable, and community-trusted police force in Calape. Among his priorities are strengthening anti-illegal drug operations, maintaining peace and order, and fostering stronger relationships between the police and the public.

When asked about his message to aspiring Cordilleran police officers, he offered a message rooted in pride, perseverance, and excellence.

“Always remember that our people have a long, proud history of producing some of the finest and toughest leaders in the uniformed service. Never forget where you came from. The grit, resilience, and honesty bred into us back home are your greatest weapons out here.

Don’t just try to get by—aim to dominate. Keep your hands clean, lead by example, and let’s show the entire country that a Cordilleran officer stands for nothing less than absolute excellence and pure service to the people,” the Calape COP said.

For Maslang, becoming the youngest Chief of Police in Calape is more than a personal achievement. It is a testament to the values of the Cordillera—faith, humility, resilience, and service—and proof that true leadership is not measured by age or rank, but by the example one sets for others to follow.