LEVEL OF PREPAREDNESS OF MARITIME POLICE IN RESCUE OPERATION DURING CALAMITIES AND DISASTER

Disaster and calamities is an extra ordinary grave event marked by great loss and lasting distress and affliction and bring harm upon to both person and property. Certain situation of occurrence of disaster are in themselves life threatening. Examples include emergency involving fire, lack of oxygen, serious traffic hazard, risk of drowning, collapsing building, electrical hazard, risk of explosion or exposure to extreme bad weather (Handal & Dole 1992). Meanwhile, with the maritime police mission which is, to perform all police functions over Philippine territorial waters and rivers including ports of entry and exit; ensure public safety and internal security; and sustain the protection of the maritime environment. In addition, maritime police are mandated to train, equip, mobilize, organized and manage resources for effective maritime law enforcement and internal security operation; to enforce all laws rules and regulations and ordinances relative to the protection of lives, properties and environment; to arrest, investigate and assist in prosecution of terrorists, smugglers, drug traffickers and other criminal element; to conduct search and rescue operations and to perform other duties as directed by the Chief, PNP. This mission and mandated function of the maritime police induced the researcher to make their research entitled; the level of preparedness of maritime police in rescue operation during calamities and disaster. This study therefore focused on the level of preparedness of maritime police in rescue operation during calamities and disaster to salvage human life and property. This study aimed to answer the (1) demographic profile of Maritime Police respondents in terms of age, sex, civil status, educational attainment, length of service, present designation. (2) What are the level of level of preparedness of maritime police group in rescue operation in terms of: training, tools and equipment’s, strategies. (3) What are the level of performance as perceived by the community. (4) What are the factors affecting their level of performance. This study therefore focused on the level of prep The study used a descriptive survey method of research.