Maritime Law Enforcement Performance of Philippine Coast Guard Stations and Sub-Stations: An Assessment

This study assessed the maritime law enforcement (MLE) performance of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) stations and sub-stations under the Coast Guard District National Capital Region–Central Luzon (CGDNCR-CL) and the Coast Guard District Southern Tagalog (CGDSTL). The research focused on evaluating the level of performance in arresting violators, conducting investigations, filing of cases, and carrying out court duties, as well as identifying the challenges encountered in implementing maritime law enforcement functions. A descriptive quantitative design was utilized, and data were collected from 326 PCG personnel through an online survey using Likert-scale items. Statistical analysis included descriptive and inferential methods, particularly the Mann-Whitney U test, to determine differences in performance between the two districts. Results revealed that the overall level of performance of PCG stations and sub-stations in both districts was excellent, with CGDNCR-CL achieving a median score of 3.51 and CGDSTL 3.31 in the area of arresting violators. Similarly, performance in investigation, case filing, and court duties ranged from good to excellent. However, the study identified recurring challenges, including limited logistical resources, inadequate specialized training, jurisdictional overlap, and insufficient inter-agency coordination. Despite these obstacles, findings indicated that there was significant difference in MLE performance between the two districts. The study concludes that the PCG effectively performs its law enforcement duties but requires capability enhancement in resources, technology, and personnel training to sustain operational efficiency. A proposed training development plan was formulated to strengthen capability in arrest, investigation, evidence handling, and case preparation.