Preparedness and Response: Law Enforcement Strategies for Post-Disaster Crime Management

Authors

  • Gemelyn A. Estoce Trinidad Municipal College, Poblacion, Trinidad, Bohol, Philippines
  • Lady Lou T. Andrade-Torreon Trinidad Municipal College, Poblacion, Trinidad, Bohol, Philippines
  • Ma. Vicenta M. Autentico Trinidad Municipal College, Poblacion, Trinidad, Bohol, Philippines
  • Euve Jane L. Flores Trinidad Municipal College, Poblacion, Trinidad, Bohol, Philippines

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.67903/ijroms0519

Keywords:

Bohol, Disaster Preparedness, Interagency Coordination, Law Enforcement, Post-Disaster Crime Management

Abstract

This study examined perceived law enforcement preparedness and problems encountered in managing post-disaster property crimes and public-order concerns in the Second District of Bohol during academic year 2024–2025. A cross-sectional descriptive, comparative, and correlational survey involved a reported 251 personnel from the Philippine National Police, Bureau of Fire Protection, and Philippine Coast Guard. The researcher-made instrument used five-point agreement responses. The supplied summary tables reported preparedness means of 4.42 for property crimes and 4.33 for public-order concerns, with an overall mean of 4.37. Reported problem means were 2.29 and 2.20, respectively, with an overall mean of 2.25. The reported correlation was weak and not statistically significant (r = −.065, p = .307). Aggregate group-comparison results suggested variation by agency and, for problems encountered, length of service, but these results require verification of agency coding, scoring, assumptions, and original statistical output. The findings describe personnel perceptions rather than observed crime-control performance. Proposed actions prioritize communication continuity, resource assessment, joint exercises, and community reporting, supporting SDG 11 through integrated disaster-risk planning. Their effectiveness has not been evaluated.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Chiu, R. A. (2024, August 5). PCG Eastern Bohol naghimo simulation sa ‘pagkalunod’. Philippine Information Agency. https://pia.gov.ph/news/pcg-eastern-bohol-naghimo-simulation-sa-pagkalunod/

Cohen, L. E., & Felson, M. (1979). Social change and crime rate trends: A routine activity approach. American Sociological Review, 44(4), 588–608. https://doi.org/10.2307/2094589

Dariagan, J. D., Atando, R. B., & Asis, J. L. B. (2021). Disaster preparedness of local governments in Panay Island, Philippines. Natural Hazards, 105, 1923–1944. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11069-020-04383-0

Gaherity, C., & Birch, P. (2022). A criminologically informed examination of looting behaviour during natural disaster incidents. Safer Communities, 21(1), 19–30. https://doi.org/10.1108/SC-05-2021-0017

National Institute of Standards and Technology. (n.d.-a). One-factor ANOVA. In NIST/SEMATECH e- Handbook of statistical methods. https://www.itl.nist.gov/div898/handbook/eda/section3/eda354.htm

National Institute of Standards and Technology. (n.d.-b). Two-sample t-test for equal means. In NIST/SEMATECH e-Handbook of statistical methods. https://www.itl.nist.gov/div898/handbook/eda/section3/eda353.htm

Norris, F. H., Stevens, S. P., Pfefferbaum, B., Wyche, K. F., & Pfefferbaum, R. L. (2008). Community resilience as a metaphor, theory, set of capacities, and strategy for disaster readiness. American Journal of Community Psychology, 41(1–2), 127–150. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10464-007-9156-6

Provincial Government of Bohol. (2022). Bohol post-Odette rehabilitation and recovery plan 2022. Provincial Planning and Development Office. https://ppdo.bohol.gov.ph/plan-reports/disaster-risk-reduction-and-management/bohol-post-odette-rehabilitation-and-recovery-plan-2022/

Saavedra, J. R. (2021, December 30). Bohol reports no untoward incidents after ‘Odette’. Philippine News Agency. https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1164125

Sheikhi, R. A., Javanbakhtian, R., & Heidari, M. (2025). Looting and antisocial behavior after disasters: A systematic review. BMC Public Health, 25, Article 309. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-025-21285-7

Sicat, A. V. (2024, October 24). BFP mobilizes 26,000 personnel for ‘Kristine’ response. Philippine Information Agency. https://pia.gov.ph/disaster-information-service/bfp-mobilizes-26000-personnel-for-kristine-response/

United Nations. (n.d.). Goal 11: Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable. Department of Economic and Social Affairs. https://sdgs.un.org/goals/goal11

United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction. (2015). Sendai framework for disaster risk reduction 2015– 2030. https://www.undrr.org/publication/sendai-framework-disaster-risk-reduction-2015-2030

Downloads

Published

2026-10-23

How to Cite

Estoce, G., Andrade-Torreon, L. L., Autentico, M. V., & Flores, E. J. (2026). Preparedness and Response: Law Enforcement Strategies for Post-Disaster Crime Management. International Journal of Research on Multidisciplinary Studies, 1(9), 594–602. https://doi.org/10.67903/ijroms0519

Similar Articles

<< < 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 > >> 

You may also start an advanced similarity search for this article.