Pracres Thesis

Chapter 1 Background of the Study

Introduction Oplan Tokhang was implemented in 2016 and was spearheaded by President Rodrigo Duterte’s administration. The program was implemented as part of the anti-drug campaigns of the Philippine National Police in order to lessen, and later eradicate the number of drug dependents in the Philippines by warning them, together with illegal drug traffickers, to stop their activities. Furthermore, this program has a very different approach in solving the drug problem compared to the past operations of the PNP which then created a large impact to communities and individuals. Thus, this qualitative research is made to explore the opinions of some chosen residents in Barangay Lapo-Lapo I who participate in interviews in order to fully know how this program affected the community and the residents individually. Likewise, the advantages and disadvantages of Oplan Tokhang are also identified. Additionally, in order to suffice the information needed by the researchers, several other related literatures and studies are used along with the Theory of Planned Behavior which was proposed by Ajzen and Fishbein.

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Statement of the Problem This study aims to know the impact of Oplan Tokhang in the community of Barangay Lapo-Lapo I based on the behaviour of the citizens towards it. Furthermore, this study intends to answer the following questions: 1.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of the implementation od Oplan Tokhang based on the community members' perceptions?

2.

What is

the behavior

of

the

citizens

towards

the

implementation

of Oplan Tokhang?

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Significance of the Study Stated in the succeeding paragraphs are the reasons cited by the researchers on why this study holds importance and benefits to the following people affected by the study. To the local government of Barangay Lapo-Lapo I. The results of this study will make them more aware of the citizens’ perspectives and behaviors towards the ongoing implementation of Oplan Tokhang in their barangay. Thus, this study will also help them know how effective Oplan Tokhang is and decide whether or not take further action to enhance Oplan Tokhang based from the citizens’ opinions. To the citizens of Barangay Lapo-Lapo I. The results of this study will help the citizens to be more aware of the on-going implementation of Oplan Tokhang in their barangay. Additionally, this study will give them additional perspectives which came from their co-members of the community. To the lawmakers. The findings of this paper will guide them in deciding whether or not continue the implementation of Oplan Tokhang based from the responses of the citizens and their feelings towards it. Likewise, they will also know the effectivity of the program, coming from the citizens' perspectives. To the students and future researchers. The results of this paper may serve as a starting point for further studies and will give them a source of new data and information for their research papers. To add, this will also widen their knowledge because of the evidences and facts presented. 4

To the readers. The findings of this study will provide them new ideas and data. Additionally, this paper will also give them a chance to be more open-minded by presenting different perspectives from the respondents. Lastly, they will be given a glimpse of the realities faced by the community.

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Scope and Delimitations This study focuses

on and

is limited to the

responses of

five

citizens

of

Barangay Lapo-Lapo I who comes from different areas of professions but are all knowledgeable about Oplan Tokhang. The respondents are given the chance to decide whether to answer or not the interview questions. The questions do not include any personal and sensitive information such as their names, family background, addresses and other questions that are not related to the topic. Furthermore, this study also focuses on the following: the system of the implementation of Oplan Tokhang to the community and the citizens' reactions and behaviors towards the program. It is beyond the grasp of the study to include the issues of extrajudicial killings and the killings of police officers in buy-bust operations. Likewise, this paper does not focus on other drug-related issues such as the drug testing programs in schools and workplaces.

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Theoretical Framework of the Study

Figure 1. Conceptual Model for the Theory of Planned Behavior

The Theory of Planned Behavior or Reasoned Action was formulated in 1980 by Ajzen and Fishbein. This theory states that an individual's behavior and reactions towards something is determined by his behavioral beliefs, normative beliefs and control beliefs which create his intention and later, his behavior. Therefore, the more favorable the individual's beliefs and norms are towards the situation, the more favorable or complying he will likely act during such. Additionally, according to Moss (2016), human behaviors are not only governed by internal factors such as one’s own beliefs and values, but are also guided by social pressures and a sense of control. For example, significant individuals such as friends, colleagues or relatives affect the way an individual behave or opine.

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There are also key constructs included in the theory. These are the following: the behavioral intention, experiential attitude, instrumental attitude, subjective (injunctive) norm, descriptive norm, perceived behavioral control and self-efficacy (MD Quit, 2011). In this case, the behavioral intentions of the residents of Barangay Lapo-Lapo I is characterized by their perceived yearning of having a drug-free community. The residents'

experiential

attitude

is

their

belief

that

the

implementation

of Oplan Tokhang may lead to positive effects of negative damages. Their instrumental attitude is their belief that the usage of drugs leads to certain attributes and outcomes and Oplan Tokhang would have its own advantages and disadvantages. The residents' subjective norms are represented by the majority's acceptance or not of the oplan while their descriptive norm is the belief whether this majority are involved in the program. The perceived behavioral control of the residents is the perceived likelihood of various circumstances happening during the implementation of Oplan Tokhang and its aftermath that can either solve the drug problem or worsen it. Lastly, the self-efficacy of the residents are the perceived abilities to overcome various circumstances and conditions that may prevent or hinder the implementation of Oplan Tokhang in their community.

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Definition of Terms Drugs. Chemicals

or

substances

that

change

a

person

physiologically

or psychollogically; causes dependency and abuse (Merriam-Webster, n.d.) Dangerous Drug Board. The highest policy making and coordinating arm of matters pertaining to law enforcement and control of drugs and rehabilitation of drug users; shortened as DDB (Manwong, 2002) Educational Approach. A type of approach aimed to lessen the number of drug users in the community through seminar-workshops, symposiums and lecture forums (Manwong, 2002) Implementation. To bring a plan into an operation (Cambridge Dictionary, n.d.) Law Enforcement Approach. A type of approach aimed to lessen the number of drug users in the community through drug policy making, laws and other police operations. (Manwong, 2002) Narcotics Command. The primary function is to utilize the supply reduction strategy to eliminate the durg problem; shortened as NarCom (Manwong, 2002) National Drug Law Enforcement Program and the National Drug Law Enforcement and Prevention Coordinating Center. A law enforcement agency under the offcie of the President and was founded to aid the Narcotics Command and other agencies; shortened as NDLEPCC (Manwong, 2002)

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Oplan. An

abbreviation

to

shorten

operational/operations

plan

(The

Free

Dictionary, n.d.) Tokhang. Came from two Visayan words "toktok" and "hangyo" meaning "knock" and "respect" (Bueza, 2016) Oplan Tokhang. A government project created to eradicate drug users and pusher by means of police officers knocking on the doors of the suspected drug users and pushers, then giving them a warning to surrender (Bueza, 2016) Treatment and Rehabilitation Approach. A type of approach aimed to assist and treat the drug abusers in order to prevent them from depending again to drugs (Manwong, 2002)

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Chapter 3 Research Methodology

Research Design The researchers use a qualitative research design to gather more information through direct interviews with the citizens of Barangay Lapo-Lapo I who have truthful experiences about the implementation of Oplan Tokhang in their barangay. This type of research also aids the researchers in getting direct quotations from authentic interviews with the chosen respondents of the community. It also tells its effectiveness mainly on the perspective citizens. This study aims to understand how the respondents react about the program and how it affects their way of living. The researchers have also used a phenomenological approach of qualitative research since it explains about their direct experiences or thoughts about the program. A phenomenological study is also about describing a topic based on the lived experience of the respondents. This specific approached helps the researchers in getting a conclusion and recommendations.

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Respondents To explore more reactions about Oplan Tokhang and prevent biases, five adults residing in Barangay Lapo-Lapo I with different areas of profession and levels of interest are randomly chosen to be the main sources of the study. However, although the participants differ in areas of profession, it is certain that they are homogenous in terms of their knowledge in the oplan. Thus, there is a certainty that their responses are truthful and are related to the potential effects of the security and order of their community. Such type of answers is helpful and efficient to the overall success of the study. Instrument of the Study Interview questions are prepared by the researchers to help them gather responses from the participants. Included in the interview questions are the barangay's methodology of

implementing Oplan Tokhang,

its

effectivity

and

aftermath

and

the respondents' reactions towards Oplan Tokhang. A semi-structured interview is used in gathering sufficient responses from the citizens. Their answers center on the effectivity of Oplan Tokhang due to their peaceful approach to the suspected drug users and pushers. They also give focus on the livelihood programs that their barangay had given to the surrenderees.

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Ethical Considerations The residents of Barangay Lapo-Lapo I are properly informed of the interviews and study that would take place. Furthermore, before the interview took place, the chosen respondents are given the right to withdraw from the interview if they were not comfortable in answering the questions. They are also knowledgeable that they have the right to not allow recording materials while the interview was taking place. To add, there identifications and private information will not be indicated in the study and would be kept confidential. All the information in this study is truthful and neither fabricated nor manipulated. No idea included in this study is falsified or plagiarized. Any data that is not owned by the researchers included the name of the author or the organization in the citations. To add, the researchers are objective in handling data gathered from the respondents. No biases or personal interests are included in the study which may affect the study as a whole. Furthermore, the researchers strive to avoid negligence by critically and carefully examining all of the data, related literatures, findings, conclusions and any other facts which are included in the study. Lastly, the researchers are open to each other’s' suggestions and ideas without any kind of discrimination occurring. They treat each other with respect and give responsible mentoring when needed.

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Bibliography Apolinario, F. O., Peres, R.B., & Segarra, T.S. (1980). Social problems. Quezon City: Rex Printing Company Inc. Garcia, M. B. (1994). Social problems in the Philippine context. Navotas: Navotas Press. Garcia, M.B. & Militante, L.O. (1986). Social problems. Navotas: Navotas Press. Ronquillo, A.A., Peralta, A.M.R., Ramos, M.M., Salcedo, L.L., Zaide, C.A., & Espiritu, S.C. (1987). Social issues and problems: Their implications to Philippine national government. Quezon City: Katha Publishing Co., Inc. Ronquillo, A.A., Peralta, A.M.R., Ramos, M.M., Salcedo, L.L., Zaide, C.A., & Espiritu, S.C. (1989). Social issues and problems. Quezon City: Katha Publishing Co., Inc. Ronquillo, A.A., Fontanilla, O.L., Peralta, A.M.R., Salcedo, L.L., & Espiritu, S.C. (1995). Current issues (2nd ed.). Quezon City: Katha Publishing Co., Inc. Sance, C.A. & Agpoa, F.B. (1987). Contemporary social problems and issues. Quezon City: Kalayaan Press Mktg. Ent., Inc.

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