Research Literature

The researchers reviewed the following studies that are closely related to the

present study.

The study of Fernandez et. al., (2002) attempted to deal with the drug campaign

of the PNP to the residents of Batangas City. The researchers wanted to identify the

different causes and effects of drugs along with the different programs that encouraged

the residents of Batangas City to participate and cooperate with the campaign against

illegal drugs. Aside from the things mentioned, the researchers also wanted to know the

different problems encountered in pursuing drug campaign and the activities the residents

performed to ensure peace and order. Lastly, they aimed to determine the drug campaign

performed by the residents and the results of the said campaign.

One of the findings of the study was that some of the most common causes of drug

abuse were peer group association, pathogenic family pattern, identity crisis and socio-

cultural deprivation. On the other hand, the different effects of dangerous drugs included

the increase of murder cases and rape cases. It may also lead to a broken family. The

researcher concluded that police officers do not operate in vacuum, hence, they need the

assistance of other public-oriented and spirited group such as civic organization and

women’s organization. Also, the most pressing hardships and problems that confronted

the police work were the cooperation of the community and barangay officials along with

financial concerns.

The researchers also concluded that every police department has set of activities

designed to ensure peace and order. The most frequently performed activities were those
which resulted from prevention of undesirable activities. Also they found out that with

regards to the opinion of the PNP, they said that they always performed their duties

however, most of the residents were undecided regarding this matter. Overall, the

researchers settled that the drug campaign of the PNP has a good feedback. It resulted

to peace and order, unity, cooperation and understanding among people. The researcher

recommended that the police officers should be a good model to the community people

in order to establish a harmonious relationship with them. They should see to it that what

they do was moral and can be imitated by the young ones. Furthermore, they should

never resort to corruption and police brutality.

Meanwhile, the study of Co (2002), wanted to determine the outcome of the

rehabilitation of the released drug dependent. The researcher wanted to look closely into

the problems experienced by the rehabilitated substance abuser in the areas of physical,

emotional and social adjustment. Aside from these, the study aimed to identify the self-

determination of the rehabilitated drug-abuser as far as their willingness to become a

productive member of the society was concerned. Also included in their objectives was

to identify how their family, friends and their own selves helped in their recovery.

According to the study, problems occurred in the rehabilitated drug dependents in

the areas of the areas of their physical, emotional and social well-being after the

rehabilitation. But their self-determination facilitated their faster recovery. The key factor

to drug dependents’ successful recovery were the encouragement and support of family

and friends as well as their belief and trust in themselves.

 The researcher recommended that the rehabilitated person must be more open to

change and must start to confront difficult issues ahead. Also, they must take on

increasing responsibility. Aside from these, there was a need for enhancement in the

ability of a person to make transition in the community in order for him to live a drug-free

life. Furthermore, the treatment process or the rehabilitation must be family-focused in

order to promote faster recovery of the patient.

On the other hand, the study of Castillo (2009), aimed to find out the awareness of

the community regarding the provisions of RA 9165 along with its penalties and the

program provided for the treatment and rehabilitation of drug dependents. The study also

wanted to assess the level of effectiveness of the implementation of the said act.

The researcher found out that majority of the respondents which were inmates and

community members were not fully aware on the provisions of RA 9165 relative to its

penalties and programs provided for treatment and rehabilitation. Also, majority of the

respondents do not believe that the implementation of RA 9165 was effective enough to

address the drug problem in the Philippines. For them, the schools were the best way to

implement the law since children at young age should be educated about the complication

that drug abuse may bring. Aside from the fact mentioned, the researcher found out that

some of the provisions in RA 9165 were not fully administered and known by the people.

The researcher concluded that although the revised law enabled the government

to prosecute offenders, many of the people did not know the functions, duties and

responsibilities of the government when it comes to its implementation. Hence, there was

a need for the government and community to join forces to foster initiatives in order to
enhance the community’s level of awareness on the provisions of RA 9165. The

researcher recommended that the government and the people themselves must help one

another to solve one of the major crises that the Philippines is facing today; drug addiction.

The people must immediately report those who have fallen under drug abuse to help

themselves and the person addicted to drugs. Also, the teaching of the harmful effects of

drugs must be included in the school curricula to give the students a wider knowledge

when it comes to drugs. Lastly, one of the recommendation of the study was the

amendment of the provisions of RA 9165 so as to untie loose ends and cover loopholes

in order to have a fast and speedy trial on those who have committed such offenses.

The study of Bagos, et. al., (2005) cited that with regards to the status of drug

addiction in Batangas City, there were 11 convicted cases, 6 dismissed cases, and 75

pending cases with a total of 92. The specific laws violated under the drug-eradication

program include possession of dangerous drugs (section 11), possession of drug

paraphernalia (section 12), actual intake of shabu or marijuana (section 15) and pushing

and selling shabu and marijuana (section 5 of Article II under Republic Act 9165).

The duties of the PNP to solve drug abuse, include education campaign,

rehabilitation, coordination with barangay captains, addition of policemen, allowing

citizen’s arrest, allocation of their budget, seeking NGO’s moral support, seeking NGO’s

financial support and coordination with the church. Regarding peace and order, the

policemen believe that there is an evident peace and order in the society, they also

believe in the effectiveness of drug eradication programs. With regards to the eradication

of Drug addiction, the policemen believe that drug addiction in the city is at minimal level.
They also observe that the laws are enough to eradicate drugs though it needs

improvement. And lastly, the policemen see the city as almost drug free.

The researchers concluded that the status of drug eradication program is active

for the year 2002 to 2005. Since the policemen themselves believe that they have

provided peace and order in the city, the member of the society should be carefree of

drug-related crimes. Also, they recommended that the policemen should hold on with the

laws that they are implementing so that the people’s welfare will be taken care of. They

should also continue performing their duties not only as crime fighters but also as guards

against the harsh effects of drug addiction and other violence caused by such substances.

The study of Mendoza (2015) had the objectives of identifying the different

problems encountered by the San Jose police station in conducting their drug-related

operation as perceived by the police personnel and barangay officials. It also wanted to

assess the level of effectiveness of the operations of the police personnel in their combat

against illegal drugs.

The researcher found out that the respondents, police personnel and community

members alike, agree that there are no problems encountered in the conduct of drug-

related operations in the municipality of San Jose. Also, they view the operations against

illegal drugs as highly effective.

The researcher recommended that the implementation of a seminar program may

assist in enhancing the knowledge of police officers in drug-related operation. Aside from

this, the municipal office of San Jose must support the campaign of the PNP against the
drug proliferation. The active participation of the community in the anti-illegal drug

campaign of the government could be a great help.

In the study of Atienza, et. al., (2008), the findings of the police officers based on

the evidences and documents retrieved and confiscated were identified. In addition to

this, the study also assessed the seriousness of the problem encountered by the police

officers regarding the operation on the drug-related incidents. Also, the study wanted to

determine the profile of the accused relative to their age, gender, civil status, residence

and place of incidence.

The study revealed that the accused are of legal age being 21 years old and above,

males, and residents of barangays within the municipalities of Batangas. Evidences were

obtained in the place of incidents within the barangay of the municipalities. The most

common problems encountered by the police officers regarding the operations on drug-

related incidents are the cooperation of the people in the community, willingness of the

witness and the familiarity of the place where the incidents happened.

They cited many police officers involved in drug-related incidents found it hard to

get information from the people in the community where the incidents occurred. Also, the

willingness of the victim of drug-related crimes may become a problem due to the fact

that they may not provide necessary information because they are afraid that once they

got involve in the case, their safety and security may be at stake. Familiarity of the place

where the incidents happened was also deemed to be a moderately serious problem

because unawareness of police officers regarding the alternative routes in a certain place
may help the person involve in the drug-case to move and transfer from one place to

another to flee and seek cover and thus, elude the police.

The study of Almarez et. al., (2012) aimed to identify the assessment of the

community members to the PNP personnel relative to their professionalism specifically

with ethical behavior and conduct or bearing and community relations specifically with the

services rendered and public recognition.

The researchers cited that the assessment of community members as to the

professionalism, specifically on the ethical behavior and conduct/bearing; and community

relation, specifically on the services rendered and public recognition, were considered to

be greatly confined into a high level of professional standard and ideal police community

relations expected among the members of PNP.

They suggested that ethical and values related intervention programs for PNP

members must be incorporated in all aspects of PNP life and not just in the training and

disciplinary machineries. Also, the PNP administration should provide moral and ethical

guidance to all PNP members, and offer a systematic, integrated and holistic approach

to the implementation of values formation programs in the PNP. All members of the PNP

should faithfully observed and take to hard the provisions of its ethics and values

formation manual. And lastly, the community must also take the initiatives by reporting

the wrongdoing of the police to the proper authority, be vigilant of their rights and support

the activities of the police towards the attainment of a safe place to live.

The study of Bautista et. al., (2015) had the goal of determining the level of

awareness of the students on the provisions of RA 9165 with regards to its punished acts,
penalties and mandated programs. In addition to this, the study also wanted to recognize

the means of the students on acquiring access to information about the said law.

The researchers revealed that majority of the respondents were moderately aware

on the salient provisions of RA 9165. Also, the students can acquire information about

the said law mostly on the televisions and radio advertisements followed by counseling

and discussion with family members and information from poster and printed article.

Based on its findings, this study suggested that information dissemination activities

must be conducted in order to increase the level of awareness of the students on RA

9165. Having a seminar regarding the provisions of RA 9165 could also be a great help

in widening the students’ knowledge and understanding of the said law. Moreover, the

guidance and counseling office must initiate counseling activities regarding drug addiction

and its harmful effects to the students and on the provision of RA 9165. Lastly, posters

and printed article maybe posted in different places in the campus to inform the students

on the provisions of the law mentioned.

The study of Fajiculay et. al., (2011) wanted to know the salient provisions of RA

9165 relative to offenses covered, penalty imposed, and police authority. It also wanted

to identify the different problems encountered by the police officers in the filing of the

substance-abuse related cases in the court.

The researchers discovered that the offenses or unlawful acts related to substance

abuse were comprehensively declared in Section 4-19 of RA 9165: The gravest penalty

for the violation of the provisions of RA 9165 is death while the minimum prison term is 6

months and 1 day to 4 years imprisonment while the highest fine ranges from
Php1,000,000- Php 15,000,000 while the lowest is between Php 10,000 to Php 50,000.

The PDEA as the primary police authority on drug law enforcement needs to work hand

in hand with other government agencies to fulfill its powers and duties.

Police officers respondents from the three police stations commonly agreed on the

following problems encountered in the filing of substance abuse related cases in the court:

there is a prevalence of a protection racket; witnesses have fear to testify in any

proceeding and the accused or suspect is involved in other criminal cases. Meanwhile,

they moderately agreed in common on the following problems: there is improper handling

of evidences; and there is difficulty in observing reglementary period from arrest until filing

of information in the court. On the other hand, police officer- respondents commonly

disagreed that the technical knowledge of police officers on requirements of law for a valid

drug case arrest and prosecution is inadequate; that police authorities are tempted to sell

confiscated drugs; that there is infidelity in the custody of suspects; and that cases are

terminated because suspects are minors.

The researchers suggested that public awareness on RA 9165 should be

enhanced particularly its salient provisions so that the public can be of great help in

creating a drug-free community. Academic institutions should also take part in this

undertaking by promoting public information about drug laws.