CRIMINALITY AND COMMUNITY PREPAREDNESS IN

DUNGO-AN, M’LANG, COTABATO

MAARNA B. AMINO

Thesis Manuscript Submitted to the Department of Criminal Justice System,

College of Arts and Social Sciences, University of Southern Mindanao, Kabacan,
Cotabato in Partial Fulfillment of the
Requirements for the Degree of

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN CRIMINOLOGY

DECEMBER 202
APPROVAL OF THESIS MANUSCRIPT*
ACCEPTANCE OF THESIS*
 BIOGRAPHICAL DATA

The researcher was born on April 16, 2001 in Barangay Bialong, M’lang,

Cotabato. She is the youngest daughter among eleven siblings of Mr. Unting S.

Amino and Mrs. Ensia B. Amino. She is currently residing at Purok-8, Bialong,

M’lang, Cotabato.

The researcher completed her elementary education at Bialong

Elementary School and continued her studies at M’lang National High school,

where she successfully finished both Junior and Senior High School levels.

Currently, she is dedicatedly pursuing higher education at the University of

Southern Mindanao and chose to study Bachelor of Science in Criminology. The

researcher’s journey includes experiences that have contributed to her growth and

development.

MAARNA B. AMINO
Researcher
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

The researcher would like to thank the following people who contributed to

this research study:

To her research adviser ERNESTO A. BUENAVENTURA JR. for his

invaluable guidance, unwavering support, and understanding throughout the

journey of completing this study. His expertise and encouragement have been

instrumental in shaping my work.

To SIR. MARCOS F. MONDERIN, the College of Arts and Social Science

Dean for the approval of the study; to the panelists MA’AM ESTELLA B.

BARBOSA, MEAL, SIR. VICENTE T. DELOS REYES, PhD, MA’AM MARIZ P.

BALQUIN, MSCJB, for their insightful feedback and constructive suggestions,

which greatly contributed to the refinement of my research.

To my parents ENSIA B. AMINO and UNTING S. AMINO, and to my

siblings, you have been my pillars of strength, my constant motivators, and the

foundation upon which I have built my aspirations. Your love and encouragement

in me have been the driving forces behind my achievements.

This accomplishment would not have been possible without the collective

efforts and encouragement of these individuals. I am truly humbled and grateful

for their presence in my academic journey.

 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

This chapter presents the data that the researcher has gathered. Data are

shown in tabular form with their corresponding interpretation and analysis.

Results are presented in order based on the objectives of the body.

Socio-demographic Characteristics of the Respondents

Table 1 shows the socio-demographic profile of one hundred (100)

respondents of Dung-oan, M’lang, Cotabato in terms of age, sex, and

occupation.

Age

In terms of age, data revealed that 65 (65%) of respondents belonged to

the bracket of 31 years old and above; 13 (13%) belonged to the bracket of 21-

25; 12 (12%) belonged to the bracket of 26-30 years old; and 10 (10%) belonged

to the bracket of 18-20 years old; It means that most respondents were 31 years

old and above.

Sex

In terms of sex, 58 (58%) were females, while 42 (42%) were males. It

implies that most of the respondents were females.

Occupation
 In terms of occupation, 39 (39%) of them were housewife; 31 (31%) were

farmer; 17 (17%) were students; 10 (10%) were tricycle driver; and 3 (3%) were

teacher. It implies that most of the respondents were housewife.

Table 1. Socio-demographic Characteristics of the Respondents

Socio-Demographic Frequency Percentage
Characteristics (n=100)
Age

18-20 10 10.0

21-25 13 13.0

26-30 12 12.0

31 above 65 65.0

Sex

Male 42 42.0

Female 58 58.0

Occupation

Farmer 31 31.0

Housewife 39 39.0

Tricycle driver 10 10.0

Teacher 3 3.0

Student 17 17.0
Crime incidents in the community

Table 2 shows the mean and verbal description of crime incidents in

the community. The data reveal that in general, the murder with its mean

(2.01); Violation of RA 9516 (Illegal Possession, Manufacture, Acquisition,

of firearms, ammunition or explosives) with its mean (1.98); Violation of RA

9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002) with its mean (1.95);

Homicide with its mean (1.90); theft with its mean (1.85); and attempted

murder with its mean (1.77) results were all “seldom” in verbal description

where it implies that the respondents is aware that these crime incidents has

rarely occurred in the community.

On the other hand, the attempted homicide with the mean(1.75) and

grave threats with the mean(1.49) were “never” in verbal description, it

means that the respondents is unaware that attempted homicide and grave

threat has actually occurred in the community.

According to Statista Research Department (2022), the Philippines

had one of the highest rates of incarceration per hundred thousand

individuals. Crime statistics were particularly high in poorer communities and

locations with more inhabitants and unemployment. The most common index

or focus crime was theft, followed by rape and physical injury. These were

terrible crimes that occurred on a regular and frequent basis.

Table 2. Crime incidents in the community
Crime Incident Mean Verbal Description

1. Murder 2.01 Seldom

2. Homicide 1.90 Seldom

3. Attempted Murder 1.77 Seldom

4. Attempted Homicide 1.75 Never

5. Grave Threats 1.49 Never

6.Violation of RA 9165 (Comprehensive

Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002) 1.95 Seldom

7. Violation of RA 9516 (Illegal

Possession, Manufacture, Acquisition, 1.98 Seldom
of firearms, ammunition or explosives)

8. Theft 1.85 Seldom

Scale for Interpretation:

3.50 – 4.00 Very High
2.50 – 3.49 High
1.50 – 2.49 Seldom
1.00 – 1.49 Never

1.83
Community Preparedness for Crime prevention

Table 3 shows the mean and verbal description of community

preparedness for crime prevention. In terms of police report, community

preparedness with an overall mean of 3.57 and verbal description of “highly

prepared” which indicates that the respondents are highly prepared in terms of

police report in Dungo-an.

The respondents are “highly prepared” in Question2 call for assistance at

the first sign that something unusual is happening with the highest mean (3.72),

Question4 Cooperate to the authorities and provide factual information about the

crime you have witnessed with the mean (3.7) and verbal description of “highly

prepared”, Question1 Being alert to report suspicious persons and unusual

activities to the police with the mean (3.56) and verbal description of “highly

prepared”, Question5 Personally report at the nearest police station after the

crime incident has occurred with the mean (3.54) and verbal description of

“highly prepared”, and Question3 Call for help by sounding a motor horn or

blowing a whistle with the mean (3.33) and verbal description of “highly

prepared”.

In terms of Home security, Question1 Ensure all doors and windows have

locks in working condition especially at night before going to sleep with the

highest mean (3.95) and verbal description of “highly prepared” which indicates

question1 is where the respondents most prepared in terms of home security.

Question3 Never give out information on the whereabouts of family members to

just anyone, with the mean (3.87) and verbal description of “highly prepared”.

Question5 Inform trusted neighbour when planning to go out of town for a period

of days with the mean (3.84) and verbal description of “highly prepared”.

Question4 Use curtains or drapes to protect your house from prying eyes, with

the mean (3.83) and verbal description of “highly prepared”. Question2 with the

lowest mean (3.75) and verbal description of “highly prepared” Leave lights on

inside the house when going out for the evening.

In terms of barangay policing, Question2 BPAT/Barangay Tanod security

during Barangay activities with the highest mean (3.79) and verbal description of

“highly prepared” which indicates BPAT/Barangay Tanod are active during

barangay activities. Observed both patrolling and checkpoints at the outpost

regularly. Question4 Observed both patrolling and checkpoints at the outpost

regularly, with the mean (3.74) and verbal description of “highly prepared”.

Question5 Advocacy regarding crime prevention and engagement of community

for awareness of criminality, with the mean (3.09) and verbal description of

“prepared”. Question3 Seminars to topic including drug abuse prevention, with

the mean (3.01) and verbal description of “prepared”. And lastly, Question1

Regular conduct of foot patrol at night, with the lowest mean (2.87) and verbal

description of “moderately prepared” which indicates that the barangay Dungo-an

does not performing regular conduct of foot patrol at night where the barangay

should bring action to maintain secured and safe community.

According to Murphy (2019), at the point when you are taking a gander at

utilizing the standards of wrongdoing counteraction to further develop security

around your home or business, the most ideal way to move toward it is to view at

your home or premises as though you were the guilty party. Recognize the points

of concern, weak regions and covering focuses and focus on the areas for

development and collaboration of government should team up with local area

pioneers from all areas for successful preparation and limit building.

Moreover, Gumarang (2018) asserted that community crime prevention

relates to initiatives to minimize crime in a community through public

collaboration. There are several methods for people to solve neighborhood

issues, but in terms of crime prevention, community outreach by voluntary

community organizations has evolved as the most common way. Public security

should be characterized comprehensively and across multiple dimensions. For

example, adequately safeguarding a neighbourhood means removing the barrier

of fear, allowing contact among local residents critical element in the crime

prevention endeavour. As the amount of violence reached historic heights,

Americans reacted in the only manner they known how: with increasing fear and

avoidance of dangerous circumstances. They withdrew to their homes for safety,

installing locks, bars, alarms, and, in some cases, guards.

Table 3. Community preparedness for crime prevention.
COMMUNITY PREPAREDNESS Mean Verbal Description

Police Report
1. Being alert to report suspicious 3.56 Highly Prepared
persons and unusual activities to the
police.
2. Call for assistance at the first sign 3.72 Highly Prepared
that something unusual is happening.

3. Call for help by sounding a motor 3.33 Highly Prepared

horn or blowing a whistle.

4. Cooperate to the authorities and 3.7 Highly Prepared

provide factual information about the
crime you have witnessed.
5. Personally report at the nearest 3.54 Highly Prepared
police station after the crime incident
has occurred.

Home Security
1. Ensure all doors and windows 3.95 Highly Prepared
have locks in working condition
especially at night before going to
sleep.
2. Leave lights on inside the house 3.75 Highly Prepared
when going out for the evening.

3. Never give out information on the 3.87 Highly Prepared

whereabouts of family members to just
anyone.
4. Use curtains or drapes to protect your 3.83 Highly Prepared
house from prying eyes.

5. Inform trusted neighbour when 3.84 Highly Prepared

planning to go out of town for a period of
days.
Barangay Policing
1. Regular conduct of foot patrol at 2.87 Moderately Prepared
night.

2. BPAT/Barangay Tanod security 3.79 Highly Prepared

during Barangay activities.

3. Seminars to topic including drug 3.01 Prepared

abuse prevention.

4. Observed both patrolling and 3.74 Highly Prepared

checkpoints at the outpost regularly.

5. Advocacy regarding crime prevention 3.09 Prepared

and engagement of community for
awareness of criminality.
Scale for Interpretation:
3.50 – 4.00 Highly Prepared
2.50 – 3.49 Prepared
1.50 – 2.49 Moderately Prepared
1.00 – 1.49 Not Prepared

3.57
 SUMMARY, CONCLUSIONS, AND RECOMMENDATIONS

This study entitled “Criminality and Community Preparedness in Dungo-

an, M’lang, Cotabato” was conducted to determine the socio-demographic

characteristics of the respondents in terms of age, sex, and occupation;

determine the crime incidents in the community; determine the community

preparedness for crime prevention; and determine the relationship between

socio-demographic characteristics and community preparedness for crime

prevention of the respondents. There were 100 respondents selected using

snow-ball method, wherein the respondents from the list of barangay residents

reported from the barangay secretary in which such names was drawn. Data

were gathered by survey questionnaire and analyzed using weighted mean,

frequency count, percentage distribution and Chi-Square test of correlation.

Crime is one of the main all-inclusive issues these days. From time to

time, many lives and property were obliterated because of the criminal disorder

carried out. Society sees most violations like burglary, assault, murder, and

attack as a freak and disastrous to one's life and property.

This study is sought to assess the criminality and community

preparedness in Dungo-an, M’lang, Cotabato. Based on the results and summary

of findings, the researcher concludes that: The majority of the respondents were

31 years old and above, female, and a housewife. Based on the crime incident

category, it had an overall mean of seldom and murder got the highest mean

and attempted homicide had the weakest findings. While the category of
community preparedness for crime prevention had an overall mean of highly

prepared. Overall, there was no significant relationship between socio-

demographic characteristics and community preparedness for crime prevention

of the respondents.

Crime has impacts that are broad as society itself. It tends to be as

unavoidable to the advancement and corruption to the personal satisfaction as

actually perilous, socially harming, or politically humiliating. The community

preparedness for crime incidents should be prioritized by the community leaders

and considering the results of the study, the researcher recommends that the

Barangay policing in Dungo-an should implement regular conduct of foot patrol at

night, seminars to topic including drug abuse prevention, and advocacy

regarding crime prevention and engagement of community for awareness

of criminality to secure the safety of the community and improve the

barangay policing to increase the awareness of the community regarding

crime prevention.