THE IMPACT OF CHILDREN IN CONFLIFT WITH THE LAW TO THE

SECURITY AND ORDER OF RESIDENTS OF TAMPAKAN, SOUTH

COTABATO

A Research Paper submitted to the Faculty of Social Work Department of South

East Asian Institute of Technology, Inc.

In partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree

Bachelor of Science in Social Work

Submitted by:

Johnrey P. Bromeo
Jasmine Rose C. Camos
Daisy L. Lagsumal

SEPTEMBER 2023

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 CHAPTER I

INTRODUCTION

Problem and its setting

Juvenile delinquency has been a persistent issue in the United States. In 2010,
there were approximately 1,642,646 arrests involving individuals under 18 years old
(Snyder, Cooper, & Mulako-Wangota, 2012). While this number has declined somewhat
in recent years, it still accounts for roughly 9% of all arrests in the United States
(Puzzanchera & Kang, 2017). Another concerning aspect is the arrest rate. In 2014, 3,084
out of every 100,000 individuals aged 10 to 17 faced arrests, compared to 4,151 out of
every 100,000 individuals aged 18 and older (Puzzanchera & Kang, 2017). Once young
people become involved in the criminal justice system, many face a challenging life
marked by dropping out of school, a lack of employment skills, and deficits in other
essential prosocial abilities needed for a crime-free life. High rates of repeat offenses
illustrate this issue. Annually, approximately 630,000 individuals are released from
federal and state prisons (Carson, 2018). Around 44% of this group will be re-arrested
within the first year after release, and over 80% will be re-arrested within a decade (Alper
& Durose, 2018).

The Philippines' Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act currently sets the minimum age
of criminal responsibility (MACR) at 15 years old, offering a unique legal framework for
children in conflict with the law (CICL). Those under 15 are exempt from criminal
responsibility but may face civil liability and engage in intervention programs. However,
a proposed bill seeks to lower the MACR to "above 9 years old" due to concerns about
child exploitation by criminal groups, arguing that this change would deter such
exploitation. Opponents, including medical professionals, psychologists, human rights
advocates, and religious leaders, strongly object to the bill, citing concerns about
exposing younger children to coercion and peer pressure, given their incomplete brain
development. The Catholic Church supports rehabilitation over lowering the MACR,
advocating for improved law implementation and enhanced youth rehabilitation programs
to safeguard young offenders in the justice system.

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 The population of Tampakan grew from 10,731 in 1970 to 41,018 in 2020, an
increase of 30,287 people over the course of 50 years. The latest census figures in 2020
denote a positive growth rate of 0.78%, or an increase of 1,493 people, from the previous
population of 39,525 in 2015. Tampakan is politically subdivided into 14 barangays. In
2020 there are 15 cases of CICL in the Municipality, in 2021 an increase of 18 cases and
in 2022- 2023 the latest cases with the number of 21 CICL has been recorded in
Municipal social welfare agency Tampakan handle by ma’am Elsei Frugalidad, RSW
Children in conflict with the law. According to her those children in conflict with the law
has many factors that caused them become conflict with the law and we indicate those in
research objectives as our indicators.

Conducting a study on children in conflict with the law in Tampakan, South

Cotabato, is crucial for crime prevention. It helps identify the root causes of their
involvement in criminal activities, enabling targeted interventions to reduce future
criminal behavior. Children in conflict with the law often pose a direct threat to
community safety, necessitating strategies for protection. Evaluating rehabilitation
programs aids in resource allocation and reduces recidivism. Upholding children's rights,
maintaining social cohesion, and stimulating economic growth make this study an
investment in both the future generation and community well-being. Additionally, it
fulfills legal obligations and ensures security and order in the community.

Review of Related Literature

A. Parental Care

B. Peer Pressure

Adolescents were incited apiece due to the dynamic construct of brain systems
easily and are involved in delinquent acts (Ciranka & van den Bos, 2019). The research
of Gruber and Fandakova (2021) indicated adolescents consisted of a high curiosity level
with surroundings. Adolescents’ sustainable brain development ameliorate the peer

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influence and pressure into growth development. Development of ‘social brain’, and
other models stressed on the relatively slow maturation of cognitive control systems.
Adolescents were to be more influenced by peers due to the immaturity of cognitive
control system. Connection with delinquent peers paradoxically heightened the
probability of juvenile delinquency. Yusuf et al. (2021) evinced delinquent peer influence
promoted delinquent impulses. Out of curiosity, adolescents imitated the single same-
gendered unfamiliar peers’ risky decision-making, though the behavior is not likely to be
socially rewarded (Riedijk & Harakeh, 2017).The stress or strains spread by peers to
encourage the duplication of uncomfortable acts (Dhull & Beniwal, 2017) was
conspicuous in the generation. Adolescents’ actions and beliefs were shaped to align with
peers’ opinions and behaviors as a specific response to the pressure to further engage in
delinquent behaviors (Yusuf et al., 2021). Laursen and Baur (2022) claimed that
perceived gaps between peer-group norms and individual behavior guided the
adolescents’ future conformity behavior. The spread of delinquent peers’ cultures
normalized the peer group culture and inclination of committing juvenile delinquency. As
a coercive social contingency, peer rejection that elicited environmental response to the
adolescents’ behavior. People who were excluded and hurt against by peer members,
including overt forms of control, exclusion, and more subtle ways were inclined to the
group orders. In the experiment, Davis and Allen (2021) proved that social rejection by
peers acts as a social stressor that increases a tendency to react aggressively among
children. Yusuf et al (2021) further implicated the fear of isolation drove people to join a
peer group, and indulging in delinquent acts, especially the withdrawal from peers. The
time spent and attachment with peers contributed to the adolescents’ engagement of
delinquent acts. Considerable evidence supports the hypothesis that peer relationships
influence the growth of problem behavior in youth. Developmental research consistently
documents the high levels of co variation between peer and youth deviance, even
controlling for selection effects. Ironically, the most common public interventions for
deviant youth involve segregation from mainstream peers and aggregation into settings
with other deviant youth. Developmental research on peer influence suggests that desired
positive effects of group interventions in education, mental health, juvenile justice, and
community programming may be offset by deviant peer influences in these settings.
Given the public health policy issues raised by these findings, there is a need to better
understand the conditions under which these peer contagion effects are most pronounced
with respect to intervention foci and context, the child's developmental level, and specific
strategies for managing youth behavior in groups. Juvenile individuals undergo
significant physical, cognitive, and psychosocial growth, which makes them more
susceptible to influence from their social relationships (Fitzgerald et al., 2012). As
adolescents grow older, the influence of parents in their lives tends to diminish, with
peers taking on a more prominent role (Franjić, 2020; Kopf & Anderson, 2019). An
individual conceivably lingers longer time with peers plausibly influence individuals’
perceptions and involvement in juvenile delinquency (Utržan et al., 2018). Yu et al
(2021) and Ciranka et al (2019) agreed that the deviant peer influence may increase
delinquent behaviors and risk-taking behaviors. Opposingly, Desrosiers and colleagues

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(2016) reported a delinquent act such as drug-usage began in humans’ early life,
delinquent acts were not related with peers’ existence in one’s life. Some researchers
claimed to collect more meticulous evidence for allowing greater confidence of the peer
influences (Yusuf et al., 2021). Past studies are limited to indicate ways of peer pressure
that would be perceived by adolescents in juvenile delinquency (Ramasamy et al., 2020).
Ukyawi et al. (2017) perception of peer pressure is an institution that influences students'
behavior by encouraging them to engage with wrongdoings that cause them to rebel. The
author said that peer pressure significantly impacts students as they see their peers as
someone they can look up to. It implies that peer pressure affects students based on who
they associate themselves with. The effect of peer pressure can reflect on how they want
to act. For instance, the study conducted by Ukyawi et al. (2017) determined that one of
the causes of substance abuse is peer pressure on students. The researchers discussed how
important it is to be associated with peers that would guide them to make better decisions
to improve their behavior. According to Mahmood et al. (2017) and Damm (2018), peer
pressure is defined as a subjective or actual experience of feeling pressured by others to
do things teens do not want to do. Although each author agrees that peer pressure can be
good and destructive, their perception focuses on the adverse effects on the child . This
could lead to a lot of impacts, including underachievement. Due to this information, the
authors found out that when pupils reach adolescence, they are likely to be exposed to
similar types of peer connections and similar peer pressures and levels of compliance.
Peer pressure can lead to psychological issues that hinder the growth of interpersonal
relationships. Peer pressure impacts children's relationships with their parents, family,
and society. Peer pressure affects their future, including their employment and marital
life. ACCAP (2018) and ReachOut (n.d.) states that peer pressure usually happens When
childn worry about fitting in with others. Peer groups' influence on how individuals think,
and act is referred to as "peer pressure." It can vary into various levels of the child's
peers. It can be seeking approval or one of the possible reasons for a child resulting in
bullying. The article also states that peer pressure is well-known for its negative
consequences, such as alcohol, smoking, and drugs. They determine how students are
impacted; it might be through their circle of friends, people they meet online, or any
social media platforms. However, the article also discussed that peer pressure's beneficial
side effects include a sense of belonging and support, as well as greater self-confidence.
Positive hobbies and interests are ntroduced, reinforcing positive behaviors and attitudes.
Meanwhile, it can result in the following adverse effects for a child: peer pressure to use
alcohol, cigarettes, or drugs, peer pressure to engage in risk-taking behaviors, a diversion
from academics, distancing between family and existing friends, and abrupt changes in
behavior and views.

C. Violence

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D. Substance Abuse

There are two direct relationships between delinquency and substance

abuse. The first one is that substance abuse often leads to delinquency, and the second
one is that criminal behavior could most likely lead to the use of drugs in adolescents. As
such, the existing research shows that the continued use of drugs amongst the teens could
lead them to have deviant behaviors. Some of the most common substances that are
abused in the society are alcohol, marijuana, nicotine, steroids, prescription drugs,
tobacco, opiates, and cocaine (Baglivio & Wolff, 2017). Substance abuse involves the use
of all drugs that are illegal, and in juveniles, it could also involve drinking because they
have not reached the legal age. Several reasons are associated with the start of drinking at
an early age. For instance, drug addiction among other members of the household will
lead the adolescent to start engaging in drugs. It means that the child can easily access
drugs because they believe that this use of drugs is not bad. However, when addiction
sets in, these youths will suffer immensely because life will not despair them, and they
could end up involving themselves in crime.
Juveniles who abuse substances often tend to make maladaptive selections,
which is a main neurocognitive characteristic. It makes them to have some decision-
making deficits, and, in turn, there is a lot of pressure in their lives. These persons then
luck self-restraint, and most of their behaviors are influenced by impromptu judgments.
As such, they have a dysfunctional connectivity to the brain, a move that makes it
difficult for them to embrace self-control or even emotional control. These are then
related to poor decision-making techniques (Belenko et al., 2017).The dysregulated
performing connectivity is what makes these drug users to have rapid reactions in life,
including continued engagement in crime. These drugs also have depressive symptoms
because the brain of the user is affected immensely. Looking at a drug like marijuana, for
instance, enhances the violence of behavior of individuals. It lessens the ability of an
individual to control themselves properly, and it leads to a discord in their conditions.
The violent behavior is majorly an attribute of crime because the drug users find it
difficult to control themselves.

E. Police civility

F. Surveillance Camera

G. Barangay Patrol

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Conceptual Framework

Impact of children in conflict Security and Order of the

with the law (CICL) Residents

a. Parental care a. Police civility

b. Peer pressure b. Surveillance Camera

c. Violence c. Barangay Patrol

Figure 1: C
d. Substance abuse

Figure 1. Conceptual Framework of the Study

Research Objectives

This study aims to identify the impact of children in conflict with the law to the
independents and the factors of why the children conflicting with the law in Tampakan
South Cotabato.

1. To determine the demographic profile of the respondents in terms of;

a. Age

b. Sex

c. Status

d. Educational attainment

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 2. To determine the impact of children in conflict with the law in terms of;

a. Parental care

b. Peer pressure

c. Violence

d. Substance abuse

3. To determine the security and order of residents of Tampakan, South Cotabato

in terms of;

a. Police civility

b. Surveillance Camera

c. Barangay Patrol

4. To determine the significant relationship between children in conflict with the

law to the security and order of residents of Tampakan, South Cotabato.

Hypothesis of the study

The hypothesis is tested at alpha 0.05 level of significance.

Ho: There is no significant relationship between the impact of children in conflict with
the law and the security and order of the residents of Tampakan South Cotabato.

Scope and Limitation

This research focuses on Children in conflict with the law within Tampakan
South Cotabato. The study includes Children in conflict with the law or CICL aged 9-17
years old in accordance to Ma'am Elsie Frugalidad, RSW the Municipal social worker
and with the definition of juveniles under Philippine law. The research covers data from
2017-2023 providing a recent snapshot trends and experiences within this period. The
study employs quantitative surveys with CICL or children in conflict with the law.

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Findings from this research may not be applicable to other municipality or barangay due
to specific geographical scope of Tampakan, south cotabato. The sample size of CICL
and other stakeholders in this study is relatively small, which may limit the generalization
of the findings to a larger population. Furthermore, on the level of participation of the
identified respondents in Tampakan South Cotabato, it would be limited for this school
year 2023-2024.

Significance of the study

The findings and conclusions of this study are important to the local society since
they represent the lifestyle and morality of the society, particularly the youth. In the years
2021-2023, data from the project will raise awareness about juvenile delinquency in
Tampakan, South Cotabato. The findings from this study will specifically benefit the
following:

Municipal Social Welfare and Development. The MSWD would be alert on the
situation of the youth in the society especially on how the children adapt to
societal changes. They may support the children in confrontation with the law and
oversee them through proper intervention and discipline.

Parents. Parents would be aware of the current state of teenage criminality in the
community, allowing them to properly punish and guide their children.

Teachers. Educators may use the findings of this study to develop interventions and
programs to raise awareness and correct kids in order for them to prevent juvenile
delinquency and crime in the future.

Citizens. Citizens will be informed about the statistics of youngsters who have run afoul
of the law and will be driven to develop actions and initiatives that will assist
reduce juvenile delinquency rates.

Youth. This study would benefit young people by providing them with information
regarding children in conflict with the law. Furthermore, kids would be aware of
the potential consequences of committing a crime.

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Future Researchers. Future researchers would like to investigate the case of children in
conflict with the law and could obtain solid data on this topic in Tampakan South
Cotabato, which would allow them to do more extensive data analysis.

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 CHAPTER II

METHODOLOGY

Research Design

The study utilized a descriptive method of research design since it would

described the impact of children in conflict with the law to the security and order of
Tampakan South Cotabato. Descriptive research can be explained as a statement of
affairs as they are at present with the researcher having no control over variable.
Moreover, “descriptive studies may be characterize as simply the attempt to determine,
describe or identify what is, while analytical research attempts to establish why it is that
way or how it came to be” Descriptive research is “aimed at casting light on current
issues or problems through a process of data collection that enables them to describe the
situation more completely than was possible without employing this method.” (Jetir
2019)

Respondents of the Study

The respondent of the study were the children in conflict with the law in
Tampakan South Cotabato . Respondents in this study were selected from the age group
of 9-17 years old, in accordance to MSWDO Tampakan Head ma’am Elsie Frugalidad
and with the definition in accordance of Children in conflict with the law (CICL) in our
jurisdiction. CICL who have had documented involvement with the juvenile justice
system, including formal charges or probationary periods are included. Both male and
female CICL are included and in conducting the survey we will obtain informed consent
from each CICL participants explaining the purpose and procedures of the study in age
appropriate language. This will also secure consent from the social worker and the legal
guardians or parents of respondents ensuring they understand the research implications.
The total known population of CICL case in tampakan is 68 and we've decided to use 5%
margin of error.

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Slovens Formula:

n= N

1 + Ne 2

n= 68

1+68x(0.05¿2

n= 68

1+68 x 0.0025

n= 68

1+ 1.17

n= 68

2.17

n= 31.33 - therefore we were going to conduct a survey to this number of respondents.

Research Instruments.

The researchers will use a self- made research instrument, especially in

formulating the survey questions. The main instrument used in the study was a
standardized-modified checklist questionnaire patterned from Shelby Hilsidburn (October
31, 2011) and of Kendrick Maniago (2016). On the first part (part 1) of the questionnaire
it covered the demographic profile of the respondents in terms of age, sex, status and
educational attainment. The second part (part 2) of the questioner will be the indicators of
the impact of children in conflict with the law and will be answered by checking the
columns of the questionnaire with five (5) as the highest and (1) as the lowest. Moreover,
on the children in conflict with the law questions there are five likert scale.

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 Table 1: determining the impact of children in conflict with the law in terms of
those indicators given in research objectives.

Scale Interpretation

5 Strongly Agree

4 Agree

3 Undecided

2 Disagree

1 Strongly Disagree

Gathering Data Procedure

The researchers gather data through a step by step proceedings. Step 1, the
researchers prepared a letter from the research instructor to be given in the respective
agencies they need to gather the data. Step 2, the researcher deliver the letter to the
designated agencies that they need to gather data and ask for a permission to collect data.
Step 3, there after the researchers will prepare the survey questionnaires and questions for
the both agencies and respondents. Step 4, after preparing the questionnaires the
researchers then start gathering data through distributing the survey questionnaire to the
respondents and conducting the interview to the agency. Step 5, after the agency
interview and the respondents answer the survey questionnaire, the researchers will
collect and gather the data that is needed for the study. Step 6, after the researchers
gathers the data from the respondents, the researchers will analyze the data and make a
conclusion.

Data Analysis.

The data yielded from the questionnaire were tabulated and

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subjected to statistical treatment in order to ensure validity, reliability of the
results utilizing the following:

1. Frequency and percentage

In statistics, a frequency distribution is a table that displays the frequency of
various outcomes in a sample. Each entry in the table contains the frequency or count of
the occurrences of values within a particular group or interval, and in this way, the table
summarizes the distribution of values in the sample Percentage distribution summary is
the itemized summation of the percentage of the frequency response for each question
based on the arithmetical percentage of the frequency distribution to the total number of
responses.

Formula:
P= F x 100
N
Where:
P= Percentage
F= Frequency
N= Number of respondents

2. Ranking
This is a relationship between a set of items, the first is either
ranked higher than', 'ranked lower than' or 'ranked equal to the second.

3. Weighted mean
This was utilized in treating the answer on the impact of
children in conflict wit the law.

Formula:
WM = ∑fw
N

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 Where:
WM = weighted mean
Fw = sum of the products of the frequency & weight f = frequency
w = weight
n= number of the respondents

4. Five-point Likert Scale

To qualify the responses on the rating scale, the five point Likert Scale method of
measuring
attitudes were used. Each statement has five (5) responses that were classified under
degree of frequency with weights 5, 4, 3, 2, and 1. The respondents reacted to every
perception item by checking one out of five possible answer or responses. Thus, the score
was the sum of the weight of the response checked. The equivalent point assigned to each
item indicated the extents of existence of the condition as perceived by the respondents
and will be determined by estimating each weighted average, which becomes the verbal
description.

For the impact of children in conflict with the law mean

Verbal Description
4.50 – 5.00 Very High extent (VHE)
3.50 – 4.49 High Extent (HE)
2.50 – 3.49 Moderate Extent (ME)
1.59 – 2.49 Low Extent (LE)
1.00 – 1.49 Very Low Extent (VLE)

Ethical Considerations.

In this study, the participant's responses will be anonymous. The survey is

addressed in their houses, providing participants or respondents with a comfortable
environment that offers no distraction. The informed consent form to be signed is

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included. The interview was captured with the permission of the respondents, and then
pictures were transcribed precisely. Some notes were taken by the researchers to assist in
accuracy and transcription. This mean of analyzing data allows the researcher to refine
interview questions on the response of participants.

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Part I. Personal Information

Age: 9-11 12-14 15-17 Status: Single Married

Sex: Male Female Educational Attainment:

Part II: Factors that caused Children in conflict with the law

5- Strongly Agree 2- Disagree

4- Agree 1- Strongly Disagree

3- Undecided

A. Parental Care

Indicators 5 4 3 2 1

My parents provided me with emotional support

when I needed it.

My parents were responsive to my emotional

needs.

I felt loved and cared for by my parents.

My parents were involved in my upbringing and

activities.

My parents encouraged open communication

within our family.

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B. Peer Pressure

Indicators 5 4 3 2 1

I have felt pressured by my peers to engage in

activities I was uncomfortable with.

Peer pressure has influenced my decision-

making in the past.

I have succumbed to peer pressure to fit in with

a group.

My friends have encouraged me to do things I

wouldn't normally do.

I am easily swayed by the opinions and actions

of my peers.

C. Violence

Indicators 5 4 3 2 1

Violence is never justified, and I strongly

condemn it.

I believe that violent actions can sometimes

solve problems.

Witnessing violence in media has desensitized

me to real-life violence.

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 I think that non-violent methods are more
effective in resolving conflicts.

Violence in my community is a significant

concern.

D. Substance Abuse

Indicators 5 4 3 2 1

I have never used any type of illegal drugs.

I am aware of the risks associated with substance

abuse.

I feel that substance abuse negatively affects my

life.

My friends or peers encourage me to avoid

substance abuse.

I believe that substance abuse can lead to serious

health problems.

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