Level of Maritime Security as Perceived by Fisherfolks in City of Mati

Chapter 1
INTRODUCTION

Rationale

Maritime Security is security that focuses on marine transit, cargo, ships, ports, and

infrastructures that can harm the waterways (Germond, 2015). It is a general term for the

protection of vessels both internally and externally. The areas from which ships and maritime

operations need protection include terrorism, piracy, robbery, illegal trafficking of goods and

people, illegal fishing and pollution. The Maritime Commerce Security Plan contains

recommendations to promote international supply chain security. The Maritime Commerce

Security Plan is a component of the National Strategy for Maritime Security. The National

Strategy for Maritime Security was produced in response to National Security Presidential

Directive NSPD-41/ Homeland Security Presidential Directive HSPD-13 (Maritime Security

Policy” December 21, 2004). This plan also supports the National Security Strategy, the

National Strategy for Homeland Security, and the National Strategy for Combating Terrorism

(DHS, 2005).

Its geographic location, Indonesia is especially vulnerable to maritime dangers including

piracy and IUU (Illegal, unreported, unregulated) fishing, necessitating a balance between

international cooperation and the defense of national borders. The negative effects on human

welfare when maritime crime is allowed to continue are highlighted by incidents of human

trafficking and the sale of illegal items on foreign fishing boats operating in Indonesian waters

(Chapsos & Malcolm 2017).

Properly managed marine protected areas (MPAs) can support biodiversity conservation

and fisheries management (Alcala and Russ 2016). The conservation and management of

marine biodiversity and ecosystems are important because these natural renewable resources

support millions of people (Alcala and Russ 2016). In the Philippines, reef fisheries support over

a million small-scale fishers who depend on coral reef fisheries for their livelihood, contributing

close to US$1 B annually to the economy. A more recent study estimated that a conservative
value of about US$ 966.6 billion can be contributed by our marine ecosystems to the national

economy (Azanza et al, 2017).

The marine domain of the Philippines is also significant from a geopolitical, military, and

economic standpoint. Due to its archipelagic geography and geographic advantage, the

Philippines are well situated in the middle of the world and offer a strong base for military

operations (U.S. Department of Homeland Security, 2019). The Philippine archipelago is a key

transit point for ships traveling from the South China Sea (SCS) to the Pacific Ocean. The

Philippines is a frequent transit point for ships with foreign registrations, and it can handle a lot

of marine traffic. The Coral Triangle, a concentration of marine biodiversity that produces a rich

store of marine resources, includes the Philippines as well. The 24.4 million hectare-long

Philippine Rise located to the east of Luzon Island. This uncharted area has promising natural

gas resources and minerals needed to make steel (Executive Order No. 25 s. 201, 2017).

However, despite the many advantages and benefits the nation is experiencing as a result of its

distinctive character and creation, the nation is also facing an increasing number of complex

problems. The preservation of national marine sovereignty is one of these difficulties, along with

manifestations of maritime terrorism, growing maritime security concerns, and a variety of

maritime infractions such piracy, foreign vessel intrusion, illicit fishing, trafficking, and

smuggling. The Philippines requires a strong, effective, and reliable navy to oversee maritime

security due to its enormous and complicated maritime issues.

Illicit activity in the Sulu and Celebes Seas continues to pose a daunting maritime

security challenge for the Philippines. The recent kidnapping of nine fishermen off the coast of

Borneo and the increasingly violent modus operandi of the militant Abu Sayyaf Group

(ASG) have raised safety concerns amongst Philippine policy makers and local communities.

Although the Philippines has initiated several maritime enforcement initiatives, including the

extensive National Coastal Watch System (NCWS), the government needs to enhance

cooperation between land-based and maritime operations and increase engagement between

military and civilian agencies to improve regional maritime stability (Ginkel, 2019).

To prevent a resurgence in illicit activity, the Philippines has been developing its ability to

counteract irregular maritime threats by implementing surveillance and information sharing

systems and procuring additional physical assets. Established in 2011, the NCWS strengthens
informed decision-making and maritime domain awareness by institutionalising intelligence-

sharing mechanisms between agencies such as the Philippine Navy, Philippine Coast Guard

(PCG), the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic resources, the National Anti-Terrorism Task Force

and the Philippine Ports Authority. This integrated system will have 20 offshore platforms,

mostly centred around the Sulu and Celebes Seas, and is equipped with surveillance and

interdiction capabilities. To achieve its full potential, however, the NCWS will also need an

increase in both, human resources and physical assets (Ginkel, 2019).

Common issues among MPA sites in Davao Region are those related to tourism

activities. Issues such as tourism activities (anchor damage and poor diver behavior), fishing or

poaching (commercial fishing in municipal waters, cyanide), pollution, coastal development,

bleaching and mass predation events are some issues identified. This study aimed to identify

various activities in the waters of City of Mati could threaten the maritime security.

Research Objectives

This study aims to determine the level of maritime security as perceived by fisherfolks in

the City of Mati.

Specifically, this study will seek to achieve the following objectives:

1. Determine the socio-demographic profile of the respondent in terms of:

1.1 Age

1.2 Gender

1.3 Religion

1.4 Educational Attainment

2. Determine the level of maritime security as perceived by the fisher folks in the City of

Mati.

2.1 Presence of Law Enforcement

2.2 Incidence of piracy and robbery

2.3 Access to communication and emergency support

3. Determine the significant difference on the level of maritime security as perceived by

fisherfolks when group according their socio-demographic profile.

Significance of the study

The focus of this study is to determine the level of maritime security as perceived by

fisherfolks in Mati City, thus benefits the following:

To the Philippine Coast Guard will benefit to determine the maritime security to

help support biodiversity conservation and fisheries management

To the Local Government Unit may use this study to serve as their basis, record

or guide to know to determine the level of maritime security.

To the Community may use this study to prove that they will benefit to the

maritime security because it is one of the essential needs of every fisherman in

community.

Scope and Limitations

This study focuses on determining the level of maritime security as perceived by the

fisher folks in City of Mati. In as much as the researcher would cover this study to larger scale,

there is a limited time and resources, hence the coverage of this study is confined only the three

Barangays including Barangay Dahican, Barangay Tam-isan and Barangay Matiao and the

respondents are those who’s their primarily sources of income are fishing. The respondent of

this study is particularly those who are residing and a fisher folks for over a period of one year

and those who are newly transferred residents are not included in this study. In this study, there

were 50 sampled fisher folks in every Barangay with the total of 150 respondent being utilized

using stratified random sampling.

Theoretical Framework

Conceptual Framework

This shows the profile of the respondents and their perception when it comes to

level of maritime security. It aims to determine the significant difference on the level of

maritime security as perceived by fisherfolks when group according their socio-demographic

profile and their experience in the area and their knowledge to improve level of maritime

security.
 INPUT OUTPUT

Level of Maritime
Security
Demographic Profile
of the Respondents  Presence of Law
Enforcement
 Gender  Incidence of
 Age piracy and
 Educational robbery
attainment  Access to
communication
and emergency
support

Definition of Terms

For clarification and better understanding of this study, the following terms are

operationally defined.

Maritime – Connecting with sea, especially in relation to seafaring commercial or military

activity.

Security - It is the state of being free from danger or threat.

Fisherfolks – People who catch fish for a living.

 CHAPTER II

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

This chapter primarily present the different researchers and other literatures from both

foreign and local researchers, which have significant bearings on the variables included in the

research. For further understanding of the study, the researchers made use of different reading

materials. These will also guide the researches to achieve their target objectives by getting

ideas on other related studies and make improvements as possible.

Maritime Security

The word "maritime security" doesn't have a single accepted definition in the literature

(Bueger, 2014). According to Kraska and Pedrozo (2013), the United Nations Convention on the

Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), which was adopted in 1982 and remains the most significant

international law to recognize the necessity for cooperative approaches to maritime security,

does not define the concept as such. Threats to "Maritime Security" include piracy and armed

robbery, maritime terrorism, illegal sea trafficking, such as the trafficking of drugs, small arms

and light weapons, and human beings, as well as global climate change, cargo theft, and

others. These threats are ever-evolving and may take the form of a hybrid: an interrelated and

unpredictable combination of conventional and irregular warfare, terrorism, and/or organized

crime.

Today's economy is more dependent on the oceans since they allow all countries to

trade on the world market. Water transport accounts for more than 80% of global trade, creating

a marine connectivity across the globe. Approximately half of global trade is transported in

containers. 90 percent of general commodities in value terms. The best way to ensure maritime

security is to combine international public and private maritime security operations into one

coordinated effort that responds to all maritime dangers (NeuralGuard, 2021).

The emergence of maritime security issues begins with the function of the territorial

waters that are strategic for the interests of countries in the world. Maritime security is a small

part of a national security, therefore national security practices of a country determine how

maritime security practices are in national policy (Octavian & Yulianto, 2016).
 According to Bueger (2015) there are three things that must be considered in identifying

the concept of maritime security, (1) 'Semiotics', which intends to map different meanings by

exploring the relationship between maritime security and other concepts, (2) the 'Securitization'

framework, which provides a means to understand how different threats are included in

maritime security, and 3) Security practice theory, which aims to understand what actions are

taken in the name of maritime security.

Maritime security can be defined as the protection of a country's maritime territory and its

infrastructure, economy, environment, and society from threats or adverse actions that occur at

sea (Klein, 2016). In the report of Ocean and Law of The Sea in 2008, it is explained that

activities that threaten maritime security include (Klein, 2016):

 Piracy and armed robbery, a form of crime that usually occurs at sea which can

endanger the crew as well as the safety of navigation and commercial routes.

 Terrorist acts, constitute one of the threats to maritime security because they do not only

impact physical attacks but also affect economic conditions.

 Illicit trafficking in arms and weapons of mass destruction, the greatest threat to maritime

security if it is committed for the purpose of terrorism.

 Illicit trafficking in narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances, a maritime threat that

have been most frequently encountered since a long time ago. This illegal drug trade is

usually carried out during or after a voyage.

 Smuggling and trafficking of people, both smuggling and human trafficking by sea,

threaten the person’s safety and violate human rights.

 Illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, a threat to maritime security on a

larger scale including food security, economy, social, politics, and the environment.

 Intentional and unlawful to the marine environment, an activity that damages the marine

ecosystem so that it can threaten the maritime security of a country because it can affect

the economy of the coastal state.

In the Southeast Asia region, maritime security, according to Oegroseno (in Keliat (2019),

has been seen as an important element in the idea of the ASEAN Security Community. Within

this framework, this regional organization created the ASEAN Maritime Forum mechanism.

However, this forum does not define what is meant by maritime security. It only states that the
ASEAN Maritime Forum was designed as a forum to discuss steps to respond to maritime

security threats. The maritime security threats refer to (1) piracy, (2) armed robbery, (3) marine

environment, (4) illegal fishing, (5) smuggling of goods, people, weapons and drug trafficking.

This understanding arises because in the Southeast Asia region there are a number of security

problems that still characterize this region, such as conflicts stemming from territorial claims,

commercial security and trade routes, terrorism, piracy, and smuggling (Directorate General of

Defense Strategy Directorate of Strategic Environmental Analysis, 2018). The concept of

maritime threats for ASEAN members is adapted to the context of maritime threats in the

Southeast Asia region.

The Philippines has also invested in regional initiatives with neighbouring countries like the

Trilateral Cooperative Arrangement (TCA) and the Contact Group on Maritime Crime in the Sulu

and Celebes Seas. Formed in 2017, the TCA coordinates maritime and aerial patrols and

synthesises information sharing between Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines to combat

illicit trans-border activity. Established in August 2018, the Contact Group aims to enhance

coordination and build mutual trust between stakeholders from various military and civilian

agencies in the three countries.

To facilitate communication between stakeholders and to further develop the Philippines’

maritime enforcement capabilities, the Stable Seas program of the One Earth Future

Foundation and the Asia Pacific Pathways to Progress Foundation invited Philippine

policymakers to a two-day workshop in June 2019. This workshop, which stems from the

recently-released Sulu and Celebes Seas maritime security report, seeks to examine how the

report’s findings could be transformed into policy impact. The valuable discussions highlighted

two key policy requirements: the need to expand cooperation beyond the maritime domain and

to increase engagement between military and civilian stakeholders (Ginkel, 2019).

 Chapter 3

Methods

This chapter present how the study will be conducted. It shows the research design,

research sampling, data collection, data, data presentation, and analysis treatment of data.

Research Design

The researchers employed a qualitative and descriptive research methodology for this

investigation. This approach entails gathering data, tallying respondents’ responses, analyzing

it, and interpreting its findings. Descriptive research design is a type of research design that

aims to obtain information to systematically descriptive a phenomenon, situation, or population.

Descriptive design is suitable in this study because this study determines the level of maritime

security as perceived by fisher folks in City of Mati. The qualitative method of study, which

described as a strategy that focuses on determining the quantity or amount of a variable through

numerical measurements and statistical analysis was also employed. (Libarios & Bachini, 2016).

Sampling Technique

The researcher employed stratified random sampling technique in coping the Level of

Maritime Security in Barangay Dahican, Barangay Matiao and Barangay Tam- isan, City of Mati.

Stratified Random Sampling is a sampling technique used in statistic and research to ensure the

representative and diverse sample from a population. The population is divided into subgroups

or strata based on specific characteristics, such as age, gender, or income. Then, random

samples are drawn from each stratum proportionally to its size to create a comprehensive and

unbiased sample that reflects the overall population’s diversity. This method helps reduce

sampling errors and provide more accurate estimate for the entire population (Thomas, 2023).

Research Locale and Duration

The study was conducted in Barangay Dahican, City of Mati, Davao Oriental with a total

population of --------. Dahican is situated at approximately 6.9363, 126.2742, in the island of

Mindanao. Elevation at these coordinates is estimated at 18.4 meter or 60.4 feet above mean

sea level.
 Figure 1. Research Map of the Study

The study was conducted in Barangay Matiao, City of Mati, Davao Oriental----------.

Matiao is situated at approximately 6.9448, 126.2326, in the island of Mindanao. Elevation at

these coordinates is estimated at 18.6 meters or 61.0 feet above mean sea level.
Source of Data

Primary data was used in gathering information about the study which consists of

determining the level of maritime security as perceived by fisherfolks in the City of Mati . Also,

data for this research will be collected from fisherman of Mati City through the use of

survey questionnaires, and the results will be presented. Secondary data sources will

include old webpages, articles, and other online materials.

Data Gathering Procedure

The researchers had undergone the following procedure in order to gather the pertinent

data needed for study.

Permission to Conduct the Study. The researchers’ initial step in the data collection process

is to ask the Barangay Captain for permission to conduct the study at Barangay Dahican,

Barangay Matiao, Barangay Tam-isan in the City of Mati. The researchers inform the captain’s

office via letter that the program director and institution dean had approved the data collection in

their Barangay. The letter outlines the study’s goals and objectives.

Administration & Distribution of the Questionnaire. The researchers will begin giving out the

questionnaire to the responders as soon as the Barangay Captain approves the letter. Every

question about the level of maritime security will be answered by the respondent.

Retrieval of the Survey Questionnaire. The researchers collected and filled out the

questionnaire after the respondents had responded to the statements listed on it. This indicates

that the respondents have shared their opinions regarding the maritime security.

Analysis and Interpretation. The information gather from the respondents was totaled. To

address the study’s aims, statistical tools were used to evaluate and interpret the tabulated

data.

Analysis of Data

Likert Scale - measure respondents' attitudes by asking the extent to which they

agree or disagree with a particular question or statement. A typical scale might be

Strongly disagree, Disagree, Neutral, Agree, Strongly agree.

 Range of Means Description Interpretation

4.21 – 5.0 Strongly Agree This means that the level of

Maritime Security is very high.
3.40 – 4.20 Agree This means that the level of
Maritime Security is high
2.61 – 3.40 Neutral This means that the level of
Maritime Security is neural
1.81 – 2.60 Disagree This means that the level of
Maritime Security is low
1.00 – 1.80 Strongly Disagree This means that the level of
Maritime Security is very low

Statistical Treatment

The data gathered through the questionnaires will be tallied, tabulated, and

computed which will lead to the analysis and interpretation of data. The following

statistical tools will be used.

1. Frequencies and Percentage

This formula will be used to determine the demographic profile of the

respondents in terms of age, sex, and strand and ethnicity.

2. Weighted Mean

The weighted mean will be computed to represent the responses of each

respondent to the questionnaires regarding the level of maritime security as perceived by

fisherfolks in the City of Mati

ANNOVA. This will be used to determine the significant differences of the responses when grouped

by age, sex, civil status, occupation, and monthly income of the fisherfolks in the City of Mati
Ethical Consideration

The study was carried out in accordance with research principle and ethics. Aside from

the letter attached to the questionnaire, the participants were given a thorough explanation of

the study during a briefing process prior to the start of data collection by the barangay captain.

Prior to the administration of the questionnaire. The participants were asked to sign an Informed

Consent Form. Persons deprived of liberty were assured of the confidentiality and informed that

their participation in the study was entirely voluntary and that they could withdraw at any time

without explanation. The researcher assured the participants that their personal responses

would not be shared to anyone. Only the adviser and the researcher had access to the hard

copy of the researcher data which was kept in secured files and folders.

Inform Consent. The main purpose of informed consent is that the participant is able to make

an informed decision as to whether they will participate in the evaluation or not. Hence, the

person participating in the survey is fully informed about the survey being conducted.

Confidentiality. No one other than the program coordinator has access to or is given any

identifying information. Additionally, confidentiality makes sure that any reports or published

papers do not contain such identifying information.

Participation is entirely voluntary. Every single respondent who participants in the survey will

do so willingly. The rights of the respondents to contribute to the study will be carefully

considered and adhered to by the researchers after the respondents have ben informed of the

study’s purpose and benefits.

Plagiarism. There were no plagiarized representations used in this study. The researcher will

have the freedom to convey the notion supported by the authors of various studies in her own

words thanks to the usage of Quill Bot, Grammarly, and/or any other plagiarism detector, which

will ensure consistency of grammar and reduce the similarity index.

Fabrication. The study will be based on a number of researchers whose conclusions were

reliable and correct. It will make sure that the researcher does not invent a narrative based on

what he or she has read and instead states the writers’ arguments based on their own ideas

and comprehension of the subject. There won’t be any data fabricated or excessive attribution

of other people’s efforts in order to make the work fit the topic. The models and theoretical

frameworks used shall come from reliable and trustworthy sources.

Deceit. The respondents will be assured by the researchers that the information they provided

would not lead them to any impending harm. Neither tactics nor dishonesty will be used to

deceive or harm the participants’ welfare in any way.

Permission must be obtained from the organization or location. A formal letter address will

be employed in the study to authorize staff to grant authorization for the purpose of obtaining

and gathering data within certain organizations and locations. When collecting data on the

premises, the researchers were conscientious about asking permission.

REFERENCES

Maritime Security Policy. (2004, December 21). Maritime Commerce Security Plan for The

National Strategy for Maritime Security (dhs.gov)

Chapsos & Malcolm 2017, 178. Maritime security in Indonesia: Towards a comprehensive

agenda? - ScienceDirect

Deped Tambayan, “There Are 7,641 Islands in the Philippines,” Deped Tambayan

(blog), accessed October 14, 2020, https://www.depedtambayanph.net/2019/10/there-are-7641-

islands-in-philippines.html.

Formerly known as Benham Rise. Source: Executive Order No. 25 s. 201, “Executive

Order No. 25 s. 2017” (2017), https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/2017/05/16/executive-order-no-

25-s-2017/.

U.S. Department of Homeland Security, “National Strategy for Maritime Security,” last

modified May 8, 2019, https://www.dhs.gov/national-plan-achieve-maritime-domain-awareness.

Kraska, J. and Pedrozo, L (2013). International Maritime Security Law. Leiden & Boston:

Martinus Nijhoff.

Bueger, C (2013). Communities of Security Practice at Work? The Emerging African

Maritime Security Regime. School of European Languages, Translation and Politics. Cardiff

University, Cardiff, Wales.

 NeuralGuard. (2021). Maritime Security. Threats and Vulnerabilities.

https://www.neuralguard. com/maritime-security-threats-and-vulnerabilities/ Accessed on

August 20, 2021.