Guardians of Public Safety, Governors of Peace and Order: Insights of Members of Peace and Order Council of Quad Cities of Cebu, Philippines

Abstract

The City Peace and Order Council (CPOC) serves as a vital mechanism in promoting peace and maintaining public safety at the local government level. This study employed a transcendental phenomenological approach to explore the lived experiences of CPOC members in the Quad Cities of Cebu, Philippines, in the performance of their roles and responsibilities. Data were gathered from twelve (12) key informants, representing various government and community sectors, through in-depth interviews and focus group discussions. Analysis revealed eight (8) emergent themes. For positive experiences: Peace is Our Song, But Not Ours Alone and Every Step A Lesson, Every Rise A Legacy. For negative experiences: Paper Shields, Plastic Swords and Broken Seals, Silent Oaths. Coping mechanisms generated two (2) themes: The Power of Few, The Strength of Many and Motion. As to aspirations for improving peace and order programs, two (2) themes were identified: Lead with Fire, Train with Soul and Innovation is the New Armor. The findings highlight the crucial role of inter-agency collaboration, the challenges posed by political dynamics and resource constraints, and the resilience of CPOC members in fulfilling their mandate. The study recommends strengthening institutional support, ensuring adequate funding, enhancing training and capacity-building, and depoliticizing peace and order initiatives to sustain effective governance in public safety and community peacebuilding.