Lived Experiences of Port Police Officers in Eastern Visayas, Philippines

The role of Port Police Officers is described as essential yet “taken for granted,” reinforcing the argument that Port Police must be acknowledged not only for their operational contributions but also for the psychological pressures inherent in their role during moments of crisis. The purpose of this study is to explore and describe the lived experiences of port police as frontline officers in maintaining maritime safety and security at the Eastern Visayas, Philippines. It aimed to understand how these officers carry out their safety and security duties, the challenges they encounter in the performance of their functions, and the strategies they employ to address such challenges. Utilizing qualitative approach, particularly transcendental phenomenology, the study conducted in-depth interviews with 4 Port Police Officers, while 6 underwent focus group discussion (FGD) between April 2024 and November 2024. All participants have more than 3 years of working experience as Port Police Officers. The data was analyzed using Collaizi’s method, of which significant statements gathered were translated, identified their core meanings, and subsequently analyzed them to develop clusters and emergent themes that describe the phenomena under study. Findings revealed positive workplace morale and ethics, operational and structural limitations, and comprehensive management approaches in maintaining port safety and security of the Port Police Officer. Through the participation and contributions of the concerned agencies and community members, the enforcement of maritime safety and security was effective, at the same time, improved the quality of services of the Port Police Officers. However, there is still a need for the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) to allocate funds for the port police officers and additional and manpower to achieve smoother operations thus preventing unpredictable incidents.